Identifying Domain-Independent Normative Indirect Conflicts

Abstract

The identification of normative conflicts is an essential task in Multi-Agent Systems that are governed by multiple norms. Two norms are in conflict if they contradict each other, that is, when it is impossible to comply with both norms without a violation. Our work aims to present a means to detect normative conflicts that can only be detected when relationships among elements of different norms are identified. We use the WordNet database in order to map norm elements to words and to identify relationships among the elements taking into account the meaning of the words. Therefore, we present the WordNet Conflict Checker, which is a tool that is able to detect conflicts among norms that regulate elements that are related by semantic relationships.