Optimal Algorithm for Online Forums Utilizing Relational Databases for Debate

In an online forum that utilizes a relational database to track arguments either supporting or countering conclusions, and allows users to submit their beliefs as reasons to support other beliefs, the deployment of the following algorithm can prove highly advantageous:




Or with math:

The equation for the idea score can be represented as:

Basic Algorithm:

Conclusion Score (CS) is a weighted sum of different types of scores, each calculated as the difference between supporting and opposing elements for the given conclusion. It is represented as:

Conclusion Score (CS) = ∑ [(LS * RS_agree - LS * RS_disagree) * RIW]
+ ∑ [(LS * ES_agree - LS * ES_disagree) * EIW]
+ ∑ [(LS * IS_agree - LS * IS_disagree) * IIW]
+ ∑ [(LS * BS_agree - LS * BS_disagree) * BIW]
+ ∑ [(LS * IMS_agree - LS * IMS_disagree) * IMIW]
+ ∑ [(LS * MS_agree - LS * MS_disagree) * MIW]

Where:

• CS: Conclusion Score
• LS is the Linkage Score, representing the strength of the connection between an argument and the conclusion it supports.
• n represents the number of steps an argument is removed from an idea. For instance, a direct reason to agree or disagree is one step removed, whereas a reason to agree with a reason to agree is two steps removed.
• RS, ES, IS, BS, IMS, and MS are scores associated with reasons, evidence, investments, books, images, and movies respectively that support or counter the belief. Each score is associated with a weighting factor (RIW, EIW, IIW, BIW, IMIW, and MIW) to signify its importance.

The idea score is calculated by subtracting the sum of the argument scores multiplied by their respective linkage scores for the reasons to disagree from the sum of the argument scores multiplied by their respective linkage scores for the reasons to agree. This equation takes into account the relative strength and linkage of each argument in determining the overall idea score.

The equation for the linkage score can be represented as:

The linkage score is calculated by subtracting the sum of the sub argument scores that disagree from the sum of the sub argument scores that agree, and then dividing it by the total number of arguments. This value is then multiplied by 100% to express the result as a percentage. The linkage score represents the percentage of weighted scores that agree with the belief, indicating the strength of the agreement among the sub arguments in relation to the total number of arguments.

Unique Score (US) = [(Sum of scores agreeing that two statements are unique) - (Sum of scores disagreeing that two statements are unique)] / (Total argument scores) * 100

This score evaluates the uniqueness of two statements, normalizing it by the total argument scores. The score ranges from -100 to +100, where -100 indicates full agreement that two statements are not unique (or identical), and +100 indicates full agreement that two statements are indeed unique.