Technical Report -- A Context-Sensitive Multi-Level Similarity Framework for First-Order Logic Arguments: An Axiomatic Study

arXiv cs.AI / 4/15/2026

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Key Points

  • The paper proposes a context-sensitive similarity framework for First-Order Logic (FOL) arguments, motivated by needs like argument aggregation in semantics and enthymeme decoding.
  • It extends an axiomatic foundation and adds a four-level parametric model to measure similarity across predicates, literals, clauses, and whole formulae.
  • The authors introduce two families of models, including a syntax-sensitive approach that leverages language models and uses contextual weighting to produce nuanced, explainable similarity.
  • The work specifies formal constraints to ensure the similarity framework satisfies desirable theoretical properties.
  • Overall, the contribution shifts similarity modeling from propositional settings to the more structured and expressive domain of FOL arguments.

Abstract

Similarity in formal argumentation has recently gained attention due to its significance in problems such as argument aggregation in semantics and enthymeme decoding. While existing approaches focus on propositional logic, we address the richer setting of First-Order Logic (FOL), where similarity must account for structured content. We introduce a comprehensive framework for FOL argument similarity, built upon: (1) an extended axiomatic foundation; (2) a four-level parametric model covering predicates, literals, clauses, and formulae similarity; (3) two model families, one syntax-sensitive via language models, both integrating contextual weights for nuanced and explainable similarity; and (4) formal constraints enforcing desirable properties.