Monological reason-based logic
Jaap C. Hage · 1993
This paper contains an informal introduction to a theory about legal reasoning (reason-based logic) that takes the notion of a reason to be central. Arguing for a conclusion comes down to first collecting the reasons that plead for and against the conclusion, and second weighing them. The paper describes how we can establish the presence of a reason and how we can argue whether the reasons for or the reasons against the conclusion prevail. It also addresses the topic of meta-level reasoning about the use of rules in concrete cases. It is shown how both rule-based reasoning and case-based reasoning are naturally incorporated in the theory of reason-based logic.