Abstract
The paper presents a logical treatment of actions based on dynamic logic. This approach makes it possible to reflect clearly the differences between static and dynamic elements of the world, a distinction which seems crucial to us for a representation of actions.
Starting from propositional dynamic logic a formal system (DLA) is developed, the programs of which are used to model action types. Some special features of this system are: Basic aspects of time are incorporated in DLA as far as they are needed for our purpose. Names for states and for instants are ‘simulated’ by formulas. It is possible to express formally that a formula is satisfiable or valid. A special program is introduced to reflect developments which are not caused by an ‘official agent’ but by external influences.
Having presented our basic system DLA we give some examples to illustrate how a logical system of this kind could be used for analysing essential aspects of actions. We therefore touch on such topics asthe results of actions, abilities of the agent, parallel performances of actions. Possibilities of and problems with logical representations of these features are informally discussed. Afterwards first steps towards integrating them into our basic systems are proposed by formally presenting an extension of DLA for each of the topics mentioned.
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Penther, B. A dynamic logic of action. J Logic Lang Inf 3, 169–210 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01053245
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01053245