Metareasoning for Multi-agent Epistemic Logics

Abstract

We present an encoding of a sequent calculus for a multiagent epistemic logic in Athena, an interactive theorem proving system for many-sorted first-order logic. We then use Athena as a metalanguage in order to reason about the multi-agent logic an as object language. This facilitates theorem proving in the multi-agent logic in several ways. First, it lets us marshal the highly efficient theorem provers for classical first-order logic that are integrated with Athena for the purpose of doing proofs in the multi-agent logic. Second, unlike model-theoretic embeddings of modal logics into classical first-order logic, our proofs are directly convertible into native epistemic logic proofs. Third, because we are able to quantify over propositions and agents, we get much of the generality and power of higher-order logic even though we are in a firstorder setting. Finally, we are able to use Athena’s versatile tactics for proof automation in the multi-agent logic. We illustrate by developing a tactic for solving the generalized version of the wise men problem.

This research was funded in part by the US Air Force Labs of Rome, NY.