AFRA: Argumentation framework with recursive attacks

TL;DR

This paper introduces AFRA, a formal argumentation framework that allows for unlimited recursive attacks, maintaining simplicity and compatibility with Dung's theory, and compares it with existing models.

Contribution

AFRA is a novel formalism enabling recursive attacks in argumentation frameworks while preserving simplicity and theoretical consistency.

Findings

AFRA supports unlimited recursive attacks.

It is compatible with Dung's argumentation theory.

Provides comprehensive comparison with other models.

Abstract

The issue of representing attacks to attacks in argumentation is receiving an increasing attention as a useful conceptual modelling tool in several contexts. In this paper we present AFRA, a formalism encompassing unlimited recursive attacks within argumentation frameworks. AFRA satisfies the basic requirements of definition simplicity and rigorous compatibility with Dung's theory of argumentation. This paper provides a complete development of the AFRA formalism complemented by illustrative examples and a detailed comparison with other recursive attack formalizations.