MoL-2011-09: Context Dependence of Epistemic Operators in Dynamic Evidence Logic

MoL-2011-09: Cornelisse, Irma (2011) Context Dependence of Epistemic Operators in Dynamic Evidence Logic. [Report]

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Abstract

In this thesis it is argued, supported by the relevant alternatives
theory, that epistemic operators are context dependent. They are
context dependent, in the sense that the context filters out certain
irrelevant alternatives from the information state of an agent. As a
consequence, rational knowledge and rational beliefs are evaluated on
only a subset of the information state of the agent. This filtering
process of the context origins from the fact that an agent is not in
all circumstances capable of overseeing every possible alternative.
The alternatives an agent is capable of overseeing are determined by
the context.
Furthermore, a concrete proposal of an epistemic logic that
incorporates this context dependence of epistemic operators will be
given. This proposal is an extension of the evidence logic of Johan
van Benthem and Eric Pacuit, which basically is an epistemic logic
where beliefs are formed on the basis of evidence in the agent’s
information state. In this proposal, called contextual evidence logic,
beliefs are formed on the basis of the relevant evidence in the agents
information state. Again, the relevance of the evidence is determined
by the context.
Moreover, some characteristics will be exploited, the contextual
evidence logic will be made dynamic in order to incorporate dynamic
context changes. Finally, natural examples, of contextual influence on
rational beliefs and how the contextual evidence logic will deal with
this, will be provided.

Key words: dynamic epistemic logic, context, epistemic operators,
relevant alternatives theory, evidence

Item Type:	Report
Report Nr:	MoL-2011-09
Series Name:	Master of Logic Thesis (MoL) Series
Year:	2011
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2016 14:38
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2016 14:38
URI:	https://eprints.illc.uva.nl/id/eprint/854

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