Combining Input/Output Logic and Reification for Representing Real-World Obligations

In this paper, we propose a new approach to formalize real-world obligations that may be found in existing legislation. Specifically, we propose to formalize real-world obligations by combining insights of two logical frameworks: Input/Output logic, belonging to the literature in deontic logic and normative reasoning, and the Reification-based approach of Jerry R. Hobbs, belonging to the literature in Natural Language Semantics. The present paper represents the first step of the ProLeMAS project, whose main goal is the one of filling the gap between the current logical formalizations of legal text, mostly propositional, and the richness of Natural Language Semantics.