Introduction to deontic logic: challenges, paradoxes, and formal systems (030058-WS 23/24)

In this course, students will acquire theoretical knowledge of the state of the art on logical formalisms for reasoning about normative concepts and normative systems. Deontic Logic is the overarching term for the field of formal logic that deals with normative concepts such as obligation, permission, prohibition, and norms. The field has been driven by challenging problems referred to as deontic paradoxes. More recently, interest in deontic logic in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increased due to novel challenges that concern reasoning with norms in intelligent systems. Deontic logics are most often modal logics but challenges concerning norm conflicts have led to the introduction of alternative formalisms. Some of these challenges concern reasoning about agents’ duties after they violate their initial duty and about what agents ought to do when conflicts between norms arise.

During the course, we will study three themes:
1. Philosophical motivations, such as the notorious deontic paradoxes;
2. Formal systems (both modal and alternative approaches);
3. Applications (the analysis of metaethical principles).

After successful completion of the course, you will have obtained skills in formalizing deontic scenarios, proving (basic) logic statements,
and critically evaluating theories. Furthermore, you will be able to understand and explain the most central challenges in the field (e.g., the notorious deontic paradoxes), the main deontic formalisms, and applications to ethics (e.g., metaethical principles).