Logics

In this paper we explain the different meanings of the word “logic” and the circumstances in which it makes sense to use its singular or plural form. We discuss the multiplicity of logical systems and the possibility of developing a unifying theory about them, not itself a logical system. We undertake some comparisons with other sciences, such as biology, physics, mathematics, and linguistics. We conclude by delineating the origin, scope, and future of the journal Logics. Full article

We build and study dynamic versions of epistemic logic. We study languages parameterized by an action signature that allows one to express epistemic actions such as (truthful) public announcements, completely private announcements to groups of agents, and more. The language $\mathcal{L}$(Σ) is modeled on dynamic logic. Its sentence-building operations include modalities for the execution of programs, and for knowledge and common knowledge. Its program-building operations include action execution, composition, repetition, and choice. We consider two fragments of $\mathcal{L}(\mathbf{\Sigma })$. In ${\mathcal{L}}_1(\mathbf{\Sigma })$, we drop action repetition; in ${\mathcal{L}}_0(\mathbf{\Sigma })$, we also drop common knowledge. We present the syntax and semantics of these languages and sound proof systems for the validities in them. We prove the strong completeness of a logical system for ${\mathcal{L}}_0(\mathbf{\Sigma })$ and the weak completeness of one for ${\mathcal{L}}_1(\mathbf{\Sigma })$. We show the finite model property and, hence, decidability of ${\mathcal{L}}_1(\mathbf{\Sigma })$. We translate ${\mathcal{L}}_1(\mathbf{\Sigma })$ into PDL, obtaining a second proof of decidability. We prove results on expressive power, comparing ${\mathcal{L}}_1(\mathbf{\Sigma })$ with modal logic together with transitive closure operators. We prove that a logical language with operators for private announcements is more expressive than one for public announcements. Full article

The extension of the (ordinary) institution theory of Goguen and Burstall, known as the theory of stratified institutions, is a general axiomatic approach to model theories where the satisfaction is parameterized by states of models. Stratified institutions cover a uniformly wide range of applications from various Kripke semantics to various automata theories and even model theories with partial signature morphisms. In this paper, we introduce two natural concepts of logical interpolation at the abstract level of stratified institutions and we provide some sufficient technical conditions in order to establish a causality relationship between them. In essence, these conditions amount to the existence of nominals structures, which are considered fully and abstractly. Full article

We give a proof-theoretic as well as a semantic characterization of a logic in the signature with conjunction, disjunction, negation, and the universal and existential quantifiers that we suggest has a certain fundamental status. We present a Fitch-style natural deduction system for the logic that contains only the introduction and elimination rules for the logical constants. From this starting point, if one adds the rule that Fitch called Reiteration, one obtains a proof system for intuitionistic logic in the given signature; if instead of adding Reiteration, one adds the rule of Reductio ad Absurdum, one obtains a proof system for orthologic; by adding both Reiteration and Reductio, one obtains a proof system for classical logic. Arguably neither Reiteration nor Reductio is as intimately related to the meaning of the connectives as the introduction and elimination rules are, so the base logic we identify serves as a more fundamental starting point and common ground between proponents of intuitionistic logic, orthologic, and classical logic. The algebraic semantics for the logic we motivate proof-theoretically is based on bounded lattices equipped with what has been called a weak pseudocomplementation. We show that such lattice expansions are representable using a set together with a reflexive binary relation satisfying a simple first-order condition, which yields an elegant relational semantics for the logic. This builds on our previous study of representations of lattices with negations, which we extend and specialize for several types of negation in addition to weak pseudocomplementation. Finally, we discuss ways of extending these representations to lattices with a conditional or implication operation. Full article

This paper is an overview of some recent and ongoing developments of formal logical systems designed for reasoning about systems of rational agents who act in pursuit of their individual and collective goals, explicitly specified in the language as arguments of the strategic operators, in a socially interactive context of collective objectives and attitudes which guide and constrain the agents’ behavior. Full article