I am a lecturer (docent) at the department of Language and Communication of the University of Amsterdam. In the past I studied Cognitive Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University and Rhetoric, Argumentation theory and Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. My current research interest lies at the intersection of argumentation theory and artificial intelligence.

Besides teaching courses on argumentation, communication and related topics, I am writing a dissertation on the formal approximation of the pragma-dialectical discussion model, in order to prepare it for computational application. 

My office hours vary. This semester, students can make an appointment to see me on Mondays between 17.00 and 18.00; please send me an e-mail in advance.

On the right you can find some external hyperlinks to various websites, and a downloadable CV.

Thanks for taking an interest!

2014-2015

• Argumentation and persuasion
• Strategic manoeuvring

2013-2014

• Argumentation analysis and speech act theory
• Strategic manoeuvring

2012-2013

2011-2012

• Research skills
• Intercultural communication
• Introduction to argumentation theory
• Argumentation and persuasion
• Arguing and discussing

• Study guide

• Timetable

Under the umbrella of the broader Argumentation and rhetoric research programme, the goal of the Argumentation and computation project I am part of, is to contribute to the research on the intersection of argumentation theory and artificial intelligence (Rahwan & Simari, 2009) starting from a pragma-dialectical perspective (van Eemeren & Grootendorst, 2004; van Eemeren, 2010).

The initial focus is on establishing a systematic and broad theoretical foundation to facilitate more concrete contributions and software applications in the future. To this avail, I specify a formal dialogue game representation of the ideal model of a critical discussion in my dissertation. This ideal model is at the basis of the pragma-dialectical theory and forms the starting point for further work on, e.g., computer-supported reconstruction of argumentative discourse; contextualisation of generic persuasion protocols in multi-agent systems; the development of a rhetorical layer in persuasion protocols in multi-agent systems; decision-making software to support political, medical and legal practices; diagramming software to visualise argumentation for educational purposes.

References:

van Eemeren, F. H. (2010). Strategic maneuvering in argumentative discourse: Extending the pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

van Eemeren, F. H., & Grootendorst, R. (2004). A systematic theory of argumentation: The pragma-dialectical approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rahwan, I., & Simari, G. R. (Eds.). (2009). Argumentation in artificial intelligence. Dordrecht: Springer.

Listed below are texts, slideshows and handouts for presentations I have given. All of these (obviously) reflect work in progress. Any comments or questions are welcome at <j.c.visser@uva.nl>.

• 16-12-2014: Conference presentation at VIOT, Leuven [text, in Dutch]

• 16-12-2014: Conference presentation at VIOT, Leuven [slides, in Dutch]

• 16-12-2014: Conference presentation at VIOT, Leuven [hand-out, in Dutch]

• 04-07-2014: Conference presentation at ISSA, Amsterdam [slides]

• 04-07-2014: Conference presentation at ISSA, Amsterdam [hand-out]

• 03-07-2013: Poster presentation at ACAI summer school, King's College London [poster]

• 03-07-2013: Poster presentation at ACAI summer school, King's College London [hand-out]

• 25-05-2013: Conference presentation at 10th OSSA, Windsor, ON, Canada [slides]

• 07-12-2012: Colloquium presentation at Department of Speech communication, Argumentation theory and Rhetoric of the University of Amsterdam [text]

• 07-12-2012: Colloquium presentation at Department of Speech communication, Argumentation theory and Rhetoric of the University of Amsterdam [hand-out]

• No ancillary activities