A Formalisation of Abstract Argumentation in Higher-Order Logic

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to encode abstract argumentation frameworks into higher-order logic, enabling formal analysis, verification, and extension generation using automated reasoning tools.

Contribution

It provides a uniform formalization in higher-order logic for abstract argumentation, facilitating computer-assisted analysis and verification.

Findings

Enables formal analysis of argumentation semantics

Supports automated reasoning for extension generation

Allows verification of meta-theoretical properties

Abstract

We present an approach for representing abstract argumentation frameworks based on an encoding into classical higher-order logic. This provides a uniform framework for computer-assisted assessment of abstract argumentation frameworks using interactive and automated reasoning tools. This enables the formal analysis and verification of meta-theoretical properties as well as the flexible generation of extensions and labellings with respect to well-known argumentation semantics.