deontiset

A deontiset is a theoretical construct in normative logic and deontic theory described as a set of deontic propositions that specifies the duties, permissions, and prohibitions applicable in a given domain. It serves as a compact repository for normative constraints that govern the behavior of agents or systems within that domain.

The term blends deontic logic, which formalizes obligations and permissions, with the idea of a set or database of statements. In formal practice, a deontiset is often represented as a collection of formulas built from deontic operators such as O for obligatory, P for permissible, and F for forbidden. The exact syntax and semantics can vary by framework, but the common idea is to capture the normative rules that agents must or may follow.

Formally, a deontiset D can be viewed as a subset of a normative language, potentially closed under certain normative consequences. Depending on the logic used, D may be monotonic or nonmonotonic, and it may incorporate mechanisms to handle conflicting obligations (for example, through priority orders, deontic hierarchies, or paraconsistent approaches). Dynamics can also be modeled, with deontisets evolving as rules change or as new information arrives.

Applications of deontisets appear in areas such as legal informatics, policy design, and multi-agent systems. They facilitate the specification of compliance requirements, auditing rules, and automated reasoning about what agents ought to do, what they may do, and what they must not do. For example, a hospital deontiset might include O preserve life, O obtain informed consent, F cause unnecessary harm, and P protect patient privacy. See also deontic logic, normative systems, and compliance modeling.