The Varieties of Ought-Implies-Can and Deontic STIT Logic
Abstract
STIT logic is a prominent framework for the analysis of multi-agent choice-making. In the available deontic extensions of STIT, the principle of Ought-implies-Can (OiC) fulfills a central role. However, in the philosophical literature a variety of alternative OiC interpretations have been proposed and discussed. This paper provides a modular framework for deontic STIT that accounts for a multitude of OiC readings. In particular, we discuss, compare, and formalize ten such readings. We provide sound and complete sequent-style calculi for all of the various STIT logics accommodating these OiC principles. We formally analyze the resulting logics and discuss how the different OiC principles are logically related. In particular, we propose an endorsement principle describing which OiC readings logically commit one to other OiC readings.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2604.00967,
title = {The Varieties of Ought-Implies-Can and Deontic STIT Logic},
author = {Kees van Berkel and Tim S. Lyon},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.00967},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
Published at Deontic Logic and Normative Systems - 15th International Conference, DEON 2020/21, Munich, Germany [virtual], July 21-24, 2021. URL to Published Version: https://www.collegepublications.co.uk/DEON/Van%20Berkel%20%26%20Lyon_DEON2020.pdf