id: 06002962
dt: b
an: 06002962
au: van Benthem, Johan
ti: Logical dynamics of information and interaction.
so: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (ISBN 978-0-521-76579-4/hbk). xi,
    373~p. \sterling~55.00; \$~90.00 (2011).
py: 2011
pu: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
la: EN
cc: 
ut: epistemic logic; doxastic logic; knowledge update; belief revision; logic
    and games; interfacing between logic and other sciences; logical
    treatment of agency; attitudes; strategic action; cognitive science;
    philosophy; rationality of agents; questions; awareness; socio-logical
    dynamics
ci: 
li: 
ab: This book provides a perfectly guided tour into the logical treatment of
    agency. The attribute ‘logical’ means here: based on modal logic
    and all those of its modern extensions that can, among other things,
    deal with epistemic or doxastic notions like knowledge and belief,
    attitudes (finding expression in preferences), and strategic action.
    Being an intrinsically dynamic entity, the latter touches upon two of
    the main concerns of the author: dynamifying logic and joining it with
    game theory. To understand and adequately model the nature and effect
    of information flow in complex multi-agent scenarios, for the purpose
    of {\it reasoning\/} about these, seems to be the driving force behind
    this. But with reasoning, interdisciplinary cross-connections to
    computer as well as cognitive science, and philosophy, enter the field,
    which is discussed by the author in due form. On the other hand, the
    program pursued in the book, including an analysis of the idea of
    agency respectively rationality of agents, leads to such an extended
    way of seeing by itself. And even more disciplines come into play on
    the technical side, e.g., probability theory. The material is divided
    into sixteen sections, followed by a conclusion. Starting from basic
    epistemic logic, increasingly complex systems are presented, involving
    more and more concepts like those mentioned above or related ones like
    questions and awareness. The proceeding is similar in every section of
    this part of the book: motivating by an engaging introduction with
    instructive but simple examples first, outlining the technical essence
    without formal overloading afterwards, summing up then, and giving more
    details and pointing up the respective state of the art in the end.
    But, it must not be thought that matters become trivial in this way!
    For instance, a certain degree of experience (or doing a number of
    exercises) is required for a proper handling of the higher (PAL-like)
    recursion axioms. After reaching a sufficient degree of
    comprehensiveness, the representational style changes slightly. For,
    the author looks beyond particular systems from now on, thereby tracing
    cross and transverse relations to other sciences (with a focus on
    philosophy). ‒ In parts, the book lives on the tension of opposite
    conceptual pairs like observation vs. inference, single vs. group
    agency, and, mainly, static vs. dynamic stance. I found the
    presentation of the subject very appealing. Reading the book shows that
    a knowledgeable and eloquent master has been at work. An important step
    towards a profound theory of socio-logical dynamics!
rv: Bernhard Heinemann (Hagen)