On the Normative Aspect of Signalling Conventions

The paper outlines an approach to the formal representation of signalling conventions, emphasising the prominent role played therein by a particular type of normative modality. It is then argued that, in terms of inferencing related to this modality, a solution can be given to the task J. L. Austin set but failed to resolve: finding a criterion for distinguishing between what Austin called constatives and performatives. The remainder of the paper indicates the importance of the normative modality in understanding a closely related issue: reasoning about trust in communication scenarios; this, in turn, facilitates a clear formal articulation of the role of a Trusted Third Party in trade communication.

[1]  Marek J. Sergot,et al.  A Formal Characterisation of Institutionalised Power , 1996, Log. J. IGPL.

[2]  Xavier Parent,et al.  A Convention-based Approach to Agent Communication Languages , 2007 .

[3]  Daniel Vanderveken,et al.  Foundations of Illocutionary Logic , 1985 .

[4]  Frank Dignum.  Advances in Agent Communication , 2003, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[5]  J. Sadock.  Speech acts , 2007 .

[6]  Steven O. Kimbrough,et al.  EDI, XML, and the Transparency Problem in Electronic Commerce , 2005 .

[7]  J. Oxford,et al.  Oxford , 1968, Leaving The Arena.

[8]  Erik Stenius,et al.  Mood and language-game , 1967, Synthese.

[9]  Verzekeren Naar Sparen,et al.  Cambridge , 1969, Humphrey Burton: In My Own Time.

[10]  Andrew J. I. Jones.  On Normative-Informational Positions , 2004, DEON.

[11]  Steven Orla Kimbrough,et al.  On automated message processing in electronic commerce and work support systems: speech act theory and expressive felicity , 1997, TOIS.

[12]  Steven Orla Kimbrough,et al.  Reasoning about the objects of attitudes and operators: towards a disquotation theory for representation of propositional content , 2001, ICAIL '01.

[13]  Steven Orla Kimbrough,et al.  A note on interpretations for federated languages and the use of disquotation , 2005, ICAIL '05.

[14]  Xavier Parent,et al.  Conventional Signalling Acts and Conversation , 2003, Workshop on Agent Communication Languages.

[15]  Steven O. Kimbrough,et al.  A Convention-Based Approach to a Formal Language for Business Communication , 2006 .

[16]  Steven O. Kimbrough,et al.  A Note on Modelling Speech Acts as Signalling Conventions , 2005 .

[17]  S. Kimbrough.  A Note on the Good Samaritan Paradox and the Disquotation Theory of Propositional Content , 2002 .

[18]  Robert van Rooij,et al.  The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure , 2007, Stud Logica.

[19]  Steven O. Kimbrough,et al.  On Representing Special Languages with FLBC: Message Markers and Reference Fixing in SeaSpeak , 2005 .

[20]  Munindar P. Singh.  Agent Communication Languages: Rethinking the Principles , 1998, Computer.

[21]  Steven O. Kimbrough,et al.  Formal Modelling in Electronic Commerce , 2005 .

[22]  Marco Colombetti,et al.  A logical model of social commitment for agent communication , 2003, AAMAS '03.

[23]  J. Austin.  How to do things with words , 1962 .

[24]  Andrew J. I. Jones.  Communication and Meaning: An Essay in Applied Modal Logic , 1983 .

[25]  Yao-Hua Tan,et al.  On Lean Messaging with Unfolding and Unwrapping for Electronic Commerce , 2000, Int. J. Electron. Commer..

[26]  C. E. Alchourrón,et al.  Normative Systems in Legal and Moral Theory Festschrift for Carlos E. Alchourrón and Eugenio Bulygin , 1997 .

[27]  B. Skyrms.  The Stag Hunt and the Evolution of Social Structure , 2003 .

[28]  Angelo Cangelosi,et al.  Simulating the Evolution of Language , 2002, Springer London.