On the Representation of Action and Agency in the Theory of Normative Positions

Issue title: Deontic Logic in Computer Science

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sergot, Marek | Richards, Fiona

Affiliations: Department of Computing, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 180 Queen's Gate, London SW7 2BZ ; e-mail: {mjs,fcmr}@doc.ic.ac.uk

Abstract: The theory of normative positions attempts to apply a combination of deontic logic and a logic of action/agency to the formalisation of the `Hohfeldian concepts' (duty, right, power, privilege, etc.) and other complex normative relations between agents. This paper is concerned with the practical applicability of the theory to such tasks as formalising the content of an existing set of regulations, designing a new set of regulations, or refining aspects of a computer system specification, with particular attention to the usefulness of the action component as a representational device. Points are made by reference to a simple example concerning rules in a car park. The second part of the paper covers three simple extensions: the representation of `permitted to bring about', a treatment of interpersonal control relations, and the ability to distinguish between being permitted to bring about a new state of affairs and being permitted to sustain a state of affairs that already exists.

Keywords: Deontic logic, normative systems, logic of action

Journal: Fundamenta Informaticae, vol. 48, no. 2-3, pp. 273-293, 2001