Logics for Intelligent Agents and Multi-Agent Systems

Abstract

This chapter presents the history of the application of logic in a quite popular paradigm in contemporary computer science and artificial intelligence, viz. the area of intelligent agents and multi-agent systems. In particular we discuss the logics that have been used to specify single agents, the so-called BDI logics, modal logics that describe the beliefs, desires and intentions of agents, after which we turn to logics that are used for specifying multi-agent systems. On the one hand these include extensions of BDI-like logics for multiple agents such as common knowledge and mutual intention, on the other hand, when there are multiple agents into play there are also issues to be dealt with that go beyond these extended individual attitudes, such as normative and strategic reasoning. We sketch also the history of this field. 1 Introduction