Logical Methods for Deontic Explanations

Normative reasoning, which involves obligation and related notions, is highly important in a variety of fields---from law and ethics to artificial intelligence. The combination of deontic logic and formal argumentation provides a fruitful theoretical basis for modelling this type of reasoning. The three partners of the "LOgical methods for Deontic EXplanations" (LoDEx) project represent important developments in the area: Agata Ciabattoni (Vienna University of Technology) addresses mathematical and practical concerns in logic, Christian Straßer (Ruhr University Bochum) uses formal methods in philosophy, and Leon van der Torre (University of Luxembourg) provides legal and ethical reasoners in computer science and artificial intelligence. Now they are joining forces to develop a formal theory for explaining decisions about what should or shouldn`t be done, according to normative codes (regulations, street codes, ethical principles, ...). We call these explanations, deontic explanations. Deontic explanations offer justifications for why specific norms are applicable in particular situations and why others they are not. They provide answers to complex questions like "Why should a child be entrusted to its father, rather than its mother, given a specific context?" or "Should someone with specific religious beliefs be forced to undergo a life-saving medical procedure? Why (not)?". The LoDEx project will introduce logical methods with tool support for explaining these decisions. The formal methods developed in LoDEx will be applied and evaluated on key case studies in the areas of (bio)ethics and law. LoDEx aims to help us better understand and reason about the complex decisions taken in these two areas and in related fields, and in general, about decisions we make in our daily lives. Ultimately, our work contributes to building a more human-centered approach to logic and reasoning.