Anchoring Institutions in Agents' Attitudes: Towards a Logical Framework for Autonomous MAS

Benoit Gaudou (1, 2) , Dominique Longin (3, 4) , Emiliano Lorini (3, 4) , Luca Tummolini (5)

1 IRIT-SMAC - Systèmes Multi-Agents Coopératifs
2 UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole
3 IRIT-LILaC - Logique, Interaction, Langue et Calcul
4 CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
5 ST Lab - Semantic Technology Laboratory (CNR / ISTC)

The aim of this paper is to provide a logical framework for the specification of autonomous Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). A MAS is autonomous in so far as it is capable of binding (`nomos') itself (`auto') independently of any external normative constraint specified by a designer. In particular, a MAS is autonomous if it is able to maintain its social institutions (i.e. rule-governed social practices) only by way of the agents' attitudes. In order to specify an autonomous MAS, we propose the logic AL (Acceptance Logic) in which the acceptance of a proposition by the agents qua group members (i.e. group acceptance) is introduced. Such propositions are true w.r.t. an institutional context and correspond to facts that are instituted in an attitude-dependent way (i.e. normative and institutional facts). Finally, we contend that the present approach paves the way for a foundation of legal institutions, for studying the interaction between social and legal institutions and, eventually, for understanding and modeling institutional change.

Mots clés: autonomous MAS; institutions; modal logic; acceptance

Domaines: Intelligence artificielle [cs.AI]

Benoit Gaudou, Dominique Longin, Emiliano Lorini, Luca Tummolini. Anchoring Institutions in Agents' Attitudes: Towards a Logical Framework for Autonomous MAS. 7th International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2008), International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, May 2008, Estoril, Portugal. pp.728-735. ⟨hal-03672520⟩