An introduction to argumentation-based proof-event calculus (APEC)

This talk briefly presents an extended version of the proof-event calculus by Stefaneas and Vandoulakis, named Argumentation-based Proof-Event Calculus (APEC), which is built on the argumentation theories of Pollock, Toulmin, and Kakas designed to capture the internaland interactive structure of a multi-agent mathematical practice.The concept of proof-event was initially proposed by Goguen who described mathematical proof as a social event that takes place in space and time, designed tocover not only “traditional” formal proofs but all kinds of proofs including incompleteor purported proofs.We will present how logic-based argumentation methods can beapplied to describe specific features in the development of proof-events, highlighting the relation between formal proof, informal human reasoning, cognitive processes, andsocial interactions. In real-life cognitive processes, informal human reasoning andsocial aspects play a significant role. The aim of the presented approach is to make proof-eventsmore comprehensive to express the complete trajectory of a mathematical proof-event, including formal proving and informal argumentation steps, until the ultimate validation (or not) ofthe proving outcome.
Sofia Almpani
Last modified: Wed Nov 29 21:51:34 EET 2023