On the Rôle of Deontic Logic in the Characterization of Normative Systems

Abstract

Two topics dominate this paper: the rôle of deontic logic in knowledge representation in the legal domain; and the rôle of deontic logic in the specification of computer systems. In both cases, we take the library regulations at Imperial College as an illustrative example. The essential point for which we then argue is that deontic logic —in some form or other— needs to be taken seriously as soon as one is forced to make explicit the distinction between what ought to be the case and what is the case, or as we also say, between the ideal and the actual. In conclusion we touch on the rôle of deontic logic in the development of the theory of normative positions —a theory which is of relevance both to legal knowledge representation and computer system specification. Our overall aim in this paper is to sketch the beginnings of a methodology for the use of deontic logic in the analysis and representation of normative systems.