John Horty effectively develops deontic logic (the logic of ethical concepts like obligation and permission) against the background of a formal theory of agency. He incorporates certain elements of decision theory to set out a new deontic account of what agents ought to do under various conditions over extended periods of time. Offering a conceptual rather than technical emphasis, Horty`s framework allows a number of recent issues from moral theory to be set out clearly and discussed from a uniform point of view.

"Agency and Deontic Logic represents a major advance in the field, developing fresh ideas for thinking about longstanding internal problems and making significant connections with external areas of research, most notably decision theory and utilitarian ethical theory. Although the book is technically sophisticated, the discussion is exceptionally clear and readable and benefits greatly from numerous examples and diagrams. Agency and Deontic Logic should interest an audience that includes logicians, computer scientists, and those working in decision theory, game theory, and ethics, as well as applications of these disciplines." (Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews)
"This is an excellent book. It makes an original and important contribution to deontic logic. Anyone interested in formalizing a utilitarian notion of personal and collective obligation ought to consider this book." (Journal of Logic, Language, and Information)

A szerzőről:
John Horty, Professor of Philosophy, University of Maryland.