paper

A static theory of promises

arXiv:0810.3294

Abstract

We discuss for the concept of promises within a framework that can be applied to either humans or technology. We compare promises to the more established notion of obligations and find promises to be both simpler and more effective at reducing uncertainty in behavioural outcomes.

36 pages. Revision of v4. In v5 some remarks about the institution of promising in the philosophy of Law have been included as well as a comment concerning the anthropology of promising. Several minor mistakes were found and remedied

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