English

Models for the common knowledge logic

Logic 2025-12-23 v8

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss models of the common knowledge logic. The common knowledge logic is a multi-modal logic that includes the modal operators Ki\mathsf{K}_{i} (iIi\in\mathcal{I}, where I\mathcal{I} is a finite set of agents) and C\mathsf{C} in the language. The intended meanings of Kiϕ\mathsf{K}_{i}\phi (iIi\in\mathcal{I}) and Cϕ\mathsf{C}\phi are ''the agent ii knows ϕ\phi'' (iIi\in\mathcal{I}) and ''ϕ\phi is common knowledge among I\mathcal{I}'', respectively. Semantically, this can be expressed as follows: Cϕ\mathsf{C}\phi is true if and only if all of ϕ\phi, Eϕ\mathsf{E}\phi, E2ϕ\mathsf{E}^{2}\phi, E3ϕ,\mathsf{E}^{3}\phi,\ldots are true, where Eϕ=iIKiϕ\mathsf{E}\phi=\bigwedge_{i\in\mathcal{I}}\mathsf{K}_{i}\phi. A Kripke frame that satisfies the condition is W,RKi(iI),RC\langle W,R_{\mathsf{K}_{i}} (i\in\mathcal{I}), R_{\mathsf{C}}\rangle, where RCR_{\mathsf{C}} is the reflexive and transitive closure of RE=iIRKiR_{\mathsf{E}}=\bigcup_{i\in\mathcal{I}}R_{\mathsf{K}_{i}}. We refer to such Kripke frames as CKL-frames. An algebra that satisfies the condition is a modal algebra with modal operators Ki\mathrm{K}_{i} (iIi\in\mathcal{I}) and C\mathrm{C}, which satisfies that Cxx\mathrm{C}x\leq x, CxECx\mathrm{C} x\leq\mathrm{E}\mathrm{C} x, and Cx\mathrm{C} x is the greatest lower bound of the set {Enxnω}\{\mathrm{E}^{n} x\mid n\in\omega\}, where Ex=iIKix\mathrm{E} x=\bigwedge_{i\in\mathcal{I}} \mathrm{K}_{i} x. We refer to such modal algebras as CKL-algebras. In this paper, we show that the class of CKL-frames is modally definable, whereas the class of CKL-algebras is not. That is, the class of CKL-algebras does not form a variety, and there exists a modal algebra in which the common knowledge logic is valid, but Cx\mathrm{C}x is not the greatest lower bound of the set {Enxnω}\{\mathrm{E}^{n} x\mid n\in\omega\}.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2412.13537,
  title  = {Models for the common knowledge logic},
  author = {Yoshihito Tanaka},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.13537},
  year   = {2025}
}