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Willem Conradie

Publications and source records attributed to Willem Conradie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Questions as cognitive filters

In this paper, we develop a logico-algebraic framework for modeling decision-making through deliberation in multi-agent settings. The central concept in this framework is that of interrogative agendas, which represent the cognitive stances of agents regarding which features should be considered relevant in the final decision. We formalize an agent's interrogative agenda as an equivalence relation that identifies outcomes differing only in aspects the agent deems irrelevant. Moreover, we characterize the sublattices of the resulting lattice that correspond to relevant interrogative agendas for deliberation scenarios governed by different ``winning rules." We then introduce a two-sorted logico-algebraic structure-comprising the lattice of relevant interrogative agendas and the Boolean algebras of agent coalitions-to model the interaction between agents and agendas during deliberation. Finally, we discuss which interaction conditions can and cannot be defined within this framework.

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arXiv2025

Correspondence Theory for Many-valued Modal Logic

The aim of the present paper is to generalise Sahlqvist correspondence theory to the many-valued modal semantics defined by Fitting, assuming a perfect Heyting algebra as truth value space. We present the standard translations between many-valued modal languages and suitably defined first-order and second-order correspondence languages and prove their correctness. We introduce a notion of many-valued modal frame correspondence with a truth value parameter. Exploring the consequences of this definition, we define many-valued analogues of the syntactically specified classes of Sahlqvist and inductive formulas. We adapt the ALBA algorithm to effectively compute many-valued parameterized local frame correspondents for all many-valued Sahlqvist and inductive formulas. Lastly we prove that the many-valued frame correspondent (parameterized with any non-zero truth value) of every classical Sahlqvist formula is syntactically identical to its standard crisp frame correspondent.

math.LO↗
arXiv2024

Modal reduction principles: a parametric shift to graphs

Graph-based frames have been introduced as a logical framework which internalizes an inherent boundary to knowability. They also support the interpretation of lattice-based (modal) logics as hyper-constructive logics of evidential reasoning. Conceptually, the present paper proposes graph-based frames as a formal framework suitable for generalizing Pawlak's rough set theory to a setting in which inherent limits to knowability need to be considered. Technically, the present paper establishes systematic connections between the first-order correspondents of Sahlqvist modal reduction principles on Kripke frames, and on the more general relational environments of graph-based and polarity-based frames. This work is part of a research line aiming at: (a) comparing and inter-relating the various (first-order) conditions corresponding to a given (modal) axiom in different relational semantics (b) recognizing when first-order sentences in the frame-correspondence languages of different relational structures encode the same modal content (c) meaningfully transferring relational properties across different semantic contexts. The present paper develops these results for the graph-based semantics, polarity-based semantics, and all Sahlqvist modal reduction principles. As an application, we study well known modal axioms in rough set theory on graph-based frames and show that, although these axioms correspond to different first-order conditions on graph-based frames, their intuitive meaning is retained.This allows us to introduce the notion of hyperconstructivist approximation spaces as the subclass of graph-based frames defined by the first-order conditions corresponding to the same modal axioms defining classical generalized approximation spaces, and to transfer the properties and the intuitive understanding of different approximation spaces to graph-based frames.

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arXiv2023

Modal reduction principles across relational semantics

The present paper establishes systematic connections among the first-order correspondents of Sahlqvist modal reduction principles in various relational semantic settings which include crisp and many-valued Kripke frames, and crisp and many-valued polarity-based frames (aka enriched formal contexts). Building on unified correspondence theory, we aim at introducing a theoretical environment which makes it possible to: (a) compare and inter-relate the various frame correspondents (in different relational settings) of any given Sahlqvist modal reduction principle; (b) recognize when first-order sentences in the frame-correspondence languages of different types of relational structures encode the same "modal content"; (c) meaningfully transfer and represent well known relational properties such as reflexivity, transitivity, symmetry, seriality, confluence, density, across different semantic contexts. These results can be understood as a first step in a research program aimed at making correspondence theory not just (methodologically) unified, but also (effectively) parametric.

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arXiv2022

Unified inverse correspondence for DLE-Logics

By exploiting the algebraic and order theoretic mechanisms behind Sahlqvist correspondence, the theory of unified correspondence provides powerful tools for correspondence and canonicity across different semantics and signatures, covering all the logics whose algebraic semantics are given by normal (distributive) lattice expansions (referred to as (D)LEs). In particular, the algorithm ALBA, parametric in each (D)LE, effectively computes the first order correspondents of (D)LE-inductive formulas. We present an algorithm that makes use of ALBA's rules and algebraic language to invert its steps in the DLE setting; therefore effectively computing an inductive formula starting from its first order correspondent.

math.LO↗
arXiv2021

Algorithmic correspondence for relevance logics, bunched implication logics, and relation algebras: the algorithm PEARL and its implementation (Technical Report)

The non-deterministic algorithmic procedure PEARL (an acronym for `Propositional variables Elimination Algorithm for Relevance Logic') has been recently developed for computing first-order equivalents of formulas of the language of relevance logics RL in terms of the standard Routley-Meyer relational semantics. It succeeds on a large class of axioms of relevance logics, including all so-called inductive formulas. In the present work we re-interpret PEARL from an algebraic perspective, with its rewrite rules seen as manipulating quasi-inequalities interpreted over Urquhart's relevant algebras, and report on its recent Python implementation. We also show that all formulae on which PEARL succeeds are canonical, i.e., preserved under canonical extensions of relevant algebras. This generalizes the "canonicity via correspondence" result in Urquhart's 1996 paper. We also indicate that, with minor modifications, PEARL can be applied to bunched implication algebras and relation algebras.

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arXiv2021

Non-distributive logics: from semantics to meaning

We discuss an ongoing line of research in the relational (non topological) semantics of non-distributive logics. The developments we consider are technically rooted in dual characterization results and insights from unified correspondence theory. However, they also have broader, conceptual ramifications for the intuitive meaning of non-distributive logics, which we explore.

math.LO↗
arXiv2020

Constructive Canonicity of Inductive Inequalities

We prove the canonicity of inductive inequalities in a constructive meta-theory, for classes of logics algebraically captured by varieties of normal and regular lattice expansions. This result encompasses Ghilardi-Meloni's and Suzuki's constructive canonicity results for Sahlqvist formulas and inequalities, and is based on an application of the tools of unified correspondence theory. Specifically, we provide an alternative interpretation of the language of the algorithm ALBA for lattice expansions: nominal and conominal variables are respectively interpreted as closed and open elements of canonical extensions of normal/regular lattice expansions, rather than as completely join-irreducible and meet-irreducible elements of perfect normal/regular lattice expansions. We show the correctness of ALBA with respect to this interpretation. From this fact, the constructive canonicity of the inequalities on which ALBA succeeds follows by an adaptation of the standard argument. The claimed result then follows as a consequence of the success of ALBA on inductive inequalities.

math.LO↗
arXiv2020

An Integrated First-Order Theory of Points and Intervals over Linear Orders (Part II)

There are two natural and well-studied approaches to temporal ontology and reasoning: point-based and interval-based. Usually, interval-based temporal reasoning deals with points as a particular case of duration-less intervals. A recent result by Balbiani, Goranko, and Sciavicco presented an explicit two-sorted point-interval temporal framework in which time instants (points) and time periods (intervals) are considered on a par, allowing the perspective to shift between these within the formal discourse. We consider here two-sorted first-order languages based on the same principle, and therefore including relations, as first studied by Reich, among others, between points, between intervals, and inter-sort. We give complete classifications of its sub-languages in terms of relative expressive power, thus determining how many, and which, are the intrinsically different extensions of two-sorted first-order logic with one or more such relations. This approach roots out the classical problem of whether or not points should be included in a interval-based semantics. In this Part II, we deal with the cases of all dense and the case of all unbounded linearly ordered sets.

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arXiv2020

Rough concepts

The present paper proposes a novel way to unify Rough Set Theory and Formal Concept Analysis. Our method stems from results and insights developed in the algebraic theory of modal logic, and is based on the idea that Pawlak's original approximation spaces can be seen as special instances of enriched formal contexts, i.e. relational structures based on formal contexts from Formal Concept Analysis.

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arXiv2019

The logic of vague categories

We introduce a complete many-valued semantics for basic normal lattice-based modal logic. This relational semantics is grounded on many-valued formal contexts from Formal Concept Analysis. We discuss an interpretation and possible applications of this logical framework for categorization theory to the formal analysis of multi-market competition.

math.LO↗
arXiv2019

Modelling socio-political competition

This paper continues the investigation of the logic of competing theories, be they scientific, social, political etc. We introduce a many-valued, multi-type modal language which we endow with relational semantics based on enriched reflexive graphs, inspired by Ploščica's representation of general lattices. We axiomatize the resulting many-valued, non-distributive modal logic of these structures and prove a completeness theorem. We illustrate the application of this logic through a case study in which we model competition among interacting political promises and social demands within an arena of political parties social groups.

math.LO↗
arXiv2019

Modelling competing theories

We introduce a complete many-valued semantics for two normal lattice-based modal logics. This semantics is based on reflexive many-valued graphs. We discuss an interpretation and possible applications of this logical framework in the context of the formal analysis of the interaction between (competing) scientific theories.

math.LO↗
arXiv2019

Modelling informational entropy

By 'informational entropy', we understand an inherent boundary to knowability, due e.g. to perceptual, theoretical, evidential or linguistic limits. In this paper, we discuss a logical framework in which this boundary is incorporated into the semantic and deductive machinery, and outline how this framework can be used to model various situations in which informational entropy arises.

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arXiv2019

Sahlqvist via Translation

In recent years, unified correspondence has been developed as a generalized Sahlqvist theory which applies uniformly to all signatures of normal and regular (distributive) lattice expansions. This includes a general definition of the Sahlqvist and inductive formulas and inequalities in every such signature, based on order theory. This definition covers in particular all (bi-)intuitionistic modal logics. The theory of these logics has been intensively studied over the past seventy years in connection with classical polyadic modal logics, using suitable versions of Goedel-McKinsey-Tarski translations as main tools. It is therefore natural to ask (1) whether a general perspective on Goedel-McKinsey-Tarski translations can be attained, also based on order-theoretic principles like those underlying the general definition of Sahlqvist and inductive formulas and inequalities, which accounts for the known Goedel-McKinsey-Tarski translations and applies uniformly to all signatures of normal (distributive) lattice expansions; (2) whether this general perspective can be used to transfer correspondence and canonicity theorems for Sahlqvist and inductive formulas and inequalities in all signatures described above under Goedel-McKinsey-Tarski translations. In the present paper, we set out to answer these questions. We answer (1) in the affirmative; as to (2), we prove the transfer of the correspondence theorem for inductive inequalities of arbitrary signatures of normal distributive lattice expansions. We also prove the transfer of canonicity for inductive inequalities, but only restricted to arbitrary normal modal expansions of bi-intuitionistic logic. We also analyze the difficulties involved in obtaining the transfer of canonicity outside this setting, and indicate a route to extend the transfer of canonicity to all signatures of normal distributive lattice expansions.

math.LO↗
arXiv2019

Categories: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Two Sorts

RS-frames were introduced by Gehrke as relational semantics for substructural logics. They are two-sorted structures, based on RS-polarities with additional relations used to interpret modalities. We propose an intuitive, epistemic interpretation of RS-frames for modal logic, in terms of categorization systems and agents' subjective interpretations of these systems. Categorization systems are a key to any decision-making process and are widely studied in the social and management sciences. A set of objects together with a set of properties and an incidence relation connecting objects with their properties forms a polarity which can be `pruned' into an RS-polarity. Potential categories emerge as the Galois-stable sets of this polarity, just like the concepts of Formal Concept Analysis. An agent's beliefs about objects and their properties (which might be partial) is modelled by a relation which gives rise to a normal modal operator expressing the agent's beliefs about category membership. Fixed-points of the iterations of the belief modalities of all agents are used to model categories constructed through social interaction.

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arXiv2018

Goldblatt-Thomason for LE-logics

We prove a uniform version of the Goldblatt-Thomason theorem for logics algebraically captured by normal lattice expansions (normal LE-logics).

math.LO↗
arXiv2018

An Integrated First-Order Theory of Points and Intervals over Linear Orders (Part I)

There are two natural and well-studied approaches to temporal ontology and reasoning: point-based and interval-based. Usually, interval-based temporal reasoning deals with points as a particular case of duration-less intervals. A recent result by Balbiani, Goranko, and Sciavicco presented an explicit two-sorted point-interval temporal framework in which time instants (points) and time periods (intervals) are considered on a par, allowing the perspective to shift between these within the formal discourse. We consider here two-sorted first-order languages based on the same principle, and therefore including relations, as first studied by Reich, among others, between points, between intervals, and inter-sort. We give complete classifications of its sub-languages in terms of relative expressive power, thus determining how many, and which, are the intrinsically different extensions of two-sorted first-order logic with one or more such relations. This approach roots out the classical problem of whether or not points should be included in a interval-based semantics.

cs.LO↗