Argument structure hierarchy system and method for facilitating analysis and decision-making processes

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:873131

Janssen, Terry ^[1]

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1. 9840 Faust Dr., Vienna, VA 22182

A system and method for facilitating decision-making comprising a computer program causing linkage of data representing a plurality of argument structure units into a hierarchical argument structure. Each argument structure unit comprises data corresponding to a hypothesis and its corresponding counter-hypothesis, data corresponding to grounds that provide a basis for inference of the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis, data corresponding to a warrant linking the grounds to the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis, and data corresponding to backing that certifies the warrant. The hierarchical argument structure comprises a top level argument structure unit and a plurality of subordinate level argument structure units. Each of the plurality of subordinate argument structure units comprises at least a portion of the grounds of the argument structure unit to which it is subordinate. Program code located on each of a plurality of remote computers accepts input from one of a plurality of contributors. Each input comprises data corresponding to an argument structure unit in the hierarchical argument structure and supports the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis. A second programming code is adapted to combine the inputs into a single hierarchical argument structure. A third computer program code is responsive to the second computer program code and is adapted to represent a degree of support for the hypothesis and its corresponding counter-hypothesis in the single hierarchical argument structure.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Janssen, Terry (9840 Faust Dr., Vienna, VA 22182)
• Patent Number(s): US 6098062
• OSTI ID: 873131
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

argument
structure
hierarchy
method
facilitating
analysis
decision-making
processes
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data
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hierarchical
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corresponding
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counter-hypothesis
grounds
provide
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inference
warrant
linking
certifies
top
level
subordinate
portion
code
located
remote
computers
accepts
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contributors
supports
programming
adapted
combine
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single
third
responsive
represent
degree
support
argument structure
data corresponding
data representing
structure comprises
accepts input
facilitating analysis
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