Negotiation and Joint Commitments in Multi-Agent Systems

In this paper, it is argued that negotiation can be regarded as a socio- cognitive process for the transformation of joint c ommitments in multi-agent environments. To this end, a quantified multi-modal logical language is developed for reasoning about and representing agen ts' mental attitudes. Drawing on this language, negotiation is formalised using the classical axiomatic-deductive methodology for theory building. Assumptions are presented, and properties discussed on a proof-theo retic basis. The explanatory breadth of the formalism is illustrated by looking at its applicability in situations in which agents are boundedly rational, have asymmetric and incomplete information, are motivated by conflictin g interests, and behave opportunistically.