Interpolation properties of action logic: Lazy-formalization to the frame problem

Abstract

This paper makes a contribution to the meta-theory of reasoning about action.We present two interpolation properties of action logic.We show that the frame axioms which are required for answering a query involve only the objects which are relevant to the query and action description. Moreover, if the action description is expressed by normal form, the required frame axioms depend on only the query itself. Therefore the frame problem may be mitigated by localizing descriptions and postponing the listing of frame axioms till a query occurs. This offers a pragmatic solution to the frame problem. This solution does not rest on any meta-hypotheses most existing solutions to the frame problem rely on. © 2002 Springer-Verlag.