Integrating Temporality and Causality into Acyclic Argumentation Frameworks using a Transition System
Y. Munro, C. Sarmiento, I. Bloch, G. Bourgne, M. -J. Lesot
TL;DR
The paper addresses the static nature of abstract argumentation by embedding temporality and causality into acyclic AAF through a formal mapping to an action-language framework with discrete time. It introduces an argumentative context $\\kappa$ and a ranked action sequence $\\varsigma$ to capture dialogue order, and provides an ASP-based implementation for computing valid executions and traces. The authors establish soundness and completeness, show that final graphs recover the original AAF while temporality shapes intermediate causal relations via Wright-inspired NESS causality notions, and demonstrate graphical and causal explanations on a radiology dialogue example. This approach yields richer explanations and narrativized causal chains for dynamic argumentation, with potential impact on explainable AI and reasoning about dialogues. The work integrates KR tools with explainable causality in dialogue, offering a foundation for contrastive and counterfactual explanations in argumentation dynamics.
Abstract
In the context of abstract argumentation, we present the benefits of considering temporality, i.e. the order in which arguments are enunciated, as well as causality. We propose a formal method to rewrite the concepts of acyclic abstract argumentation frameworks into an action language, that allows us to model the evolution of the world, and to establish causal relationships between the enunciation of arguments and their consequences, whether direct or indirect. An Answer Set Programming implementation is also proposed, as well as perspectives towards explanations.