Deontic logic

Colleagues - Here is 
the HP report that gives a good description of deontic 
logic.

 

http://ebiquity.umbc.edu/v2.1/paper/html/id/123/

 

There are four 
primary constructs ... rights (things you are allowed to do), prohibitions 
(things you are not allowed to do), obligations (things you have to do) and 
dispensations (things you do not have to do).

 

When presented with 
conflicting constructs, there are various strategies for reconciliation.  
For instance, rights might override prohibitions.  Alternatively, 
prohibitions could override rights.  Whether one has a more general or more 
specific scope than the other may also play a role.

 

I can see a place 
for obligations and prohibitions in our work.  It is not so 
clear whether rights and dispensations are useful.

 

All the best.  
Tim.