Arguing from Definition to Verbal Classification: The Case of Redefining 'Planet' to Exclude Pluto

Abstract

Abstract:The recent redefinition of 'planet' that excludes Pluto as a planet led to controversy that provides a case study of how competing scientific definitions can be supported by characteristic types of evidence. An argumentation scheme from Hastings is used to analyze argument from verbal classification as a form of inference used in rational argumentation. The Toulmin-style format is compared to more recently developed ways of modeling such cases that stem from advances in argumentation technology in artificial intelligence. Using these tools, it is shown how argumentation schemes, in particular argument from verbal classification and argument from definition to verbal classification, apply to cases of scientific argumentation.Resumé: La redéfinition récente de « planète » qui fait sortir Pluton de la classe des planètes a créé une controverse qui nous donne une étude de cas sur la façon que différents types de preuves appuient des définitions scientifiques rivales. À partir d'un schème d'argumentation de Hastings, une analyse des arguments fondés sur une classification verbale présente ceux-ci comme une forme d'inférence employée dans l'argumenttion rationnelle. On compare le format de Toulmin aux façons récentes de repré-senter des cas qui proviennent des progrès de la technologie d'argumentation dans l'intelligence artificielle. On emploie ces outils pour demontrer comment les schèmes d'argumentation, en particulier, les arguments fondés sur une classification verbale ou sur une réflexion qui va de la définition à la classification, s'appliquent aux cas d'argumentation scientifique.

Esquemas Argumentativos De Walton Na Análise De Argumentos De Professores De Química Em Formação Inicial

“…Esse autor apresenta inúmeras publicações que tratam sobre as falácias, nomeadas também como esquema argumentativo (por exemplo TINDALE, 2014;WALTON, 1992WALTON, , 1996WALTON, , 1999bWALTON, , 2001WALTON, , 2002WALTON, , 2006aWALTON, , 2006bWALTON, , 2008WALTON, , 2009aWALTON, , 2009bWALTON, , 2014aWALTON, , 2014bMACAGNO, 2009;REED, MACAGNO, 2008). Dentre as obras desse autor, as mais referenciadas são: Walton (1996) e Walton et al (2008).…”

“…Desse modo, tivemos que buscar outros livros e artigos que fornecessem mais detalhes de cada esquema, esse processo foi bastante moroso. Para alguns casos, o autor é o próprio Douglas Walton (por exemplo MACAGNO; TINDALE, 2014;WALTON, 1992WALTON, , 1996WALTON, , 1999bWALTON, , 2001WALTON, , 2002WALTON, , 2006aWALTON, , 2006bWALTON, , 2008WALTON, , 2009aWALTON, , 2009bWALTON, , 2014aWALTON, , 2014bMACAGNO, 2009; 4. Realização da análise das respostas proferidas pelas licenciandas na situação problema 2.…”

Reasoning from Classifications and Definitions

“…46-54) did not appear to offer any precise schematic form representing this argumentation scheme, even though he did set a list of three critical questions corresponding to this type of argument (53-54). The following new argumentation scheme for argument from definition to characteristics was put forward in (Walton 2008).…”

“…In Walton (2006, p. 129), the following scheme from verbal classification is advanced, maintaining the structure of the scheme presented in Hastings (1963): Walton's (2006) We should notice that in this scheme, such as in Hastings' argument schemes, the relation between F and G is not specified. If the structure of the inference represented is logically valid, the reasonableness of the inference itself does not seem to be considered in the classification scheme.…”

“…CLASSIFICATION PREMISE : For all x, if a fits definition D, then x can be classified as having property G. Walton's (2006) scheme can be therefore refined and made more useful for describing the inferential structure by making the nature of the relation between F and G explicit. However, even in this scheme, the relation between D and G is not clear.…”