Description
Book SynopsisOur preferences determine how we act and think, but exactly what the mechanics are and how they work is a central cause of concern in many disciplines. This book uses techniques from modern logics of information flow and action to develop a unified new theory of what preference is and how it changes. The theory emphasizes reasons for preference, as well as its entanglement with our beliefs. Moreover, the book provides dynamic logical systems which describe the explicit triggers driving preference change, including new information, suggestions, and commands. In sum, the book creates new bridges between many fields, from philosophy and computer science to economics, linguistics, and psychology. For the experienced scholar access to a large body of recent literature is provided and the novice gets a thorough introduction to the action and techniques of dynamic logic.
Trade Review"This is an excellent book. It offers a clear and concise overview of dynamic preference logic and logics that can reason about both beliefs and preferences. Fenrong has managed to provide an accessible and comprehensive overview of recent work in this area, including very interesting connections with deontic logic and game theory. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in using logical models to reason about rational agents." Eric Pacuit, Tilburg Center for Logic and Philosophy of Science, The Netherlands
"Reasoning about Preference Dynamics is an innovative and unusually well-written account of human preferences and how they change. It is a must for anyone interested in the dynamics of preferences." Sven Ove Hansson, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
"This nice book presents a survey of preference logics and preference dynamics, very much state-of-the-art, and Fenrong Liu is extremely well-informed about the relevant literature. She has a remarkable talent on how to restrict herself to the essentials, in order to convey the message and produce something very readable." Hans van Ditmarsch, University of Sevilla, Spain
Table of ContentsPreface.- Part I Introduction.- 1. Introduction.- Part II Dynamics of Information.- 2. Dynamic Epistemic Logic.- Part III Preference over Worlds.- 3. Preference over Worlds: Static Logic.- 4. Preference over Worlds: Dynamic Logic.- 5. Entanglement of Preference, Knowledge and Belief.- 6. Intermezzo: A Quantitative Approach.- Part IV Preference from Priorities.- 7. Preference from Priorities: Static Logic.- 8. Belief-based Preference.- 9. Preference from Priorities: Dynamic Logic.- Part V A Two-Level Perspective on Preference.- 10. A Two-Level Perspective on Preference.- Part VI Applications and Discussions.- 11. Deontic Reasoning.- 12. Games and Actions.- Part VII Finale.- 13. Conclusion.- References.- Index.
