From thomas@noosa.gmd.de Mon Jan 24 14:51:19 EST 1994 Article: 20337 of comp.ai Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.ai:20337 Newsgroups: comp.ai Path: honeydew.srv.cs.cmu.edu!bb3.andrew.cmu.edu!news.sei.cmu.edu!fs7.ece.cmu.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!gmd.de!slim!thomas From: thomas@noosa.gmd.de (Tom Gordon) Subject: AAAI-94 Workshop on Computational Dialectics (REPOST) Message-ID: Sender: news@gmd.de (USENET News) Nntp-Posting-Host: noosa Organization: German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD) Date: Fri, 21 Jan 1994 08:05:58 GMT Lines: 118 (Note: This is being reposted to correct my email address and improve the formatting. Tom Gordon) AAAI Workshop 1994 Call For Participation COMPUTATIONAL DIALECTICS Dialectic is an idea that simply will not disappear. It is the idea of structured linguistic interactions proceeding according to a largely adversarial protocol. Beginning with the ancients, dialectic appears to many to be synonymous with rationality. Today, computation informs the study and use of such structured dialogues. Substantial contributions are now possible from artificial intelligence researchers. The term "Computational Dialectics" is meant to describe an area of activity in AI, which considers the language and protocol of systems that mediate the flow of messages between agents constructing judgement, agreement, or other social choice, to recognize or achieve an outcome in a fair and effective way. The study of communal standards for acquiring knowledge and making decisions has always been interesting as a basis for computational models of deliberation. The study of argument and negotiation in naturally occurring dialogues has been the focus of work in language processing and explanation generation. The study of analogy and case-based reasoning has produced dialectical models that have been successfully applied in the domain of conflict resolution, negotiation and legal argument. The implementation of non-monotonic reasoning systems and the semantics of logic programming has also converged on dialectic. Philosophers' formalization of defeasible reasoning has produced new understanding of why dialectic is not merely roundabout proof. Researchers of HCI and CSCW have had occasion to study how the interplay of argument, counterargument, and rebuttal affects design, clarifies presentation, and improves interaction. The rediscovery of pro and con recalls AI's early foundations upon max and min. Goals The primary goal of this workshop is to identify areas where computationally motivated language games can contribute new scholarship or interesting software technology. Historical and rhetorical aspects of dialectic will be considered only to the extent that they advance the models of computer scientists. We are interested more in what computer scientists will have to say to the dialecticians than vice versa. Format Efforts will be made to involve established leaders in related fields, and to make the best use of the contributions. The format will include both presentations and open discussions, and of course, debate. Duration will depend on the field of submissions. Plans for future publications are being developed. Submissions Two kinds of submissions can be made for participation. + An extended abstract of a paper can be submitted for possible presentation; + A brief statement of interest and background can be sent for consideration as a participant. Preference will be made to those who can propose computational frameworks for modeling argument and negotiation or otherwise shed light on the complexities of dialectical inquiry. Please include a telephone number and an email address. Submissions can be made to any of the committee members and may be electronic. The preferred European address is Thomas Gordon, GMD, Postfach 1316, 53757 Sankt Augustin, GERMANY. The preferred US address is R. P. Loui, Box 1045, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130. The email addresses are jmoore@cs.pitt.edu, sycara@cs.cmu.edu, thomas.gordon@gmd.de, loui@ai.wustl.edu. Topics Suggested + Standards of correctness, effectiveness, and fairness of protocols. + Formal language games for particular kinds of tasks, such as cooperation, negotiation, argumentation, and conflict resolution. + Toolkits for implementing systems that embody dialectical ideas. + Work on logics of dialogue, defeasible reasoning, logic programming, uncertain reasoning, case-based reasoning, legal reasoning, planning, search, or social choice that is aimed at modeling dialectical processes. + Applications of formal language games of this kind, in fields such as cooperative design, distributed AI, telecommunications, law, and business. Submission Deadline: March 18, 1994 Organizing Committee Thomas Gordon (co-chair), GMD, Bonn. R. P. Loui (co-chair), Washington University, St. Louis Johanna Moore, University of Pittsburgh Katia Sycara, Carnegie-Mellon University -- Dr. Thomas F. Gordon GMD, FIT-KI; Schloss Birlinghoven 53757 Sankt Augustin / Germany email: thomas.gordon@gmd.de; phone: (+49 2241) 14-2665