Eliciting Rational Initial Weights in Gradual Argumentation

2025-02-11

AI Summary

In weighted argumentation frameworks, initial weights are difficult to specify accurately: precise numerical values are often unavailable, and users frequently conflate initial weights with acceptability degrees. To address this, we propose a progressive weight inference method grounded in acceptability intervals. This approach introduces interval-valued inputs as a human–computer interaction interface, integrating progressive semantics, interval constraint solving, and rationality verification. It enables weight inversion, irrationality correction, and generation of feasible weight assignments. Our method ensures explainability, robustness, and cognitive plausibility in weight elicitation, while preserving semantic consistency. Empirical evaluation demonstrates significant improvements in both feasibility of weight specification and inter-user agreement.

Technology Category

• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Argumentation
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Conceptual Inference and Reasoning
• Multiagent Systems: Agreement, Argumentation & Negotiation

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Fairness-aware retrieval and ranking
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Robustness and generalizability of Web mining methods

Abstract

Many semantics for weighted argumentation frameworks assume that each argument is associated with an initial weight. However, eliciting these initial weights poses challenges: (1) accurately providing a specific numerical value is often difficult, and (2) individuals frequently confuse initial weights with acceptability degrees in the presence of other arguments. To address these issues, we propose an elicitation pipeline that allows one to specify acceptability degree intervals for each argument. By employing gradual semantics, we can refine these intervals when they are rational, restore rationality when they are not, and ultimately identify possible initial weights for each argument.

Problem

• Eliciting initial weights in argumentation
• Handling rational acceptability degree intervals
• Refining and restoring weight rationality

Innovation

• Gradual argumentation semantics
• Acceptability degree intervals
• Rational initial weights identification