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(2011) Synthese 182 (3).
This paper builds a dialectical system of explanation with speech act rules that define the kinds of moves allowed, like requesting and offering an explanation. Pre and post-condition rules for the speech acts determine when a particular speech act can be put forward as a move in the dialogue, and what type of move or moves must follow it. A successful explanation has been achieved when there has been a transfer of understanding from the party giving the explanation to the party asking for it. The dialogue has an opening stage, an explanation stage and a closing stage. Whether a transfer of understanding has taken place is tested by a dialectical shift to an examination dialogue.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-010-9745-z
Full citation:
Walton, D. N. (2011). A dialogue system specification for explanation. Synthese 182 (3), pp. 349-374.
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