Using event calculus for normative reasoning of BDI agents in the context of norm identification

Alrawagfeh, Wagdi (2015) Using event calculus for normative reasoning of BDI agents in the context of norm identification. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

In human society, where different backgrounds, cultures and objectives coexist, norms help predict, control and coordinate individual behavior. Similarly, norms have been used in multi-agent systems to describe ideal behaviour for software agents. In spite of this, agents are still expected behave autonomously, due to the leeway allowed by norms as soft constraints on individual behavior. Existing work dealing with norm identification in multi-agent systems generally assumes that agents are fully aware of all norms, either at design time or as a result of communication with other agents. Similarly, work examining the impact of norms in agent decision-making proposes strategies that assume agents have complete knowledge of normative states. This thesis proposes that agents do not have complete knowledge about normative states; consequently, it is the agents’ duty to identify norms. To this end, we propose an agent architecture and algorithms for identifying dynamic permission and prohibition norms in open multi-agent systems. Using Event Calculus, we propose a formal representation of norms and a normative practical reasoning mechanism. Other studies assume that the normative states that are neither identified prohibited nor obliged are permitted. Central to our proposal is that a normative state can be unknown if it is not explicitly identified as prohibited, obliged or permitted. This allows us to integrate permission norms into our proposed normative practical reasoning mechanism. Thus, the contribution of this thesis is a set of techniques and algorithms that allow agents to join and function in a society regulated by (possibly unknown) norms, while minimizing behaviour that violates such norms.

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