Logic, language, and information (Q4362889)

The rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field of Logic, Language and Information (LLI) treats a variety of topics, ranging from knowledge representation to the syntax, semantics and pragmatics of natural language. Moreover, it does so from a variety of perspectives. However, one word more than any other gives the flavour of much contemporary work in LLI: dynamics. The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, we give an impression of what LLI is and why dynamics plays such a fundamental role there. Second, we relate the study of dynamics to relation algebra. The essential point that will emerge is that many LLI approaches to dynamics can be naturally viewed as explorations of fragments of relation algebra via their set-theoretic representations. We proceed as follows. In Sect. 14.1 we sketch the developments that lead to the current focus on dynamics in LLI. The idea of logics of transitions emerges naturally from this discussion, and provides the bridge to the world of relation algebra. In Sect. 14.2 we discuss the syntax and semantics of a number of transitional logics in detail, emphasising the variety of options this essentially simple idea offers. In Sect. 14.3 we turn to more general technical themes. Issues discussed include the key model theoretic notion of a bisimulation, various metatheoretic properties of these logics and the idea of relativisation, and recent work on dynamic modes of inference. We conclude with a discussion of newly emerging themes and the limitations of the relational perspective. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0871.00027].