BDI and QDT: a comparison based on classical decision theory
Mehdi M. Dastani, Joris Hulstijn, Leendert van der Torre · 2001
In this paper we compare Beliefs-Desire-Intention systems (BDI systems) with Qualitative Decision Theory (QDT). Our analysis based on classical decision theory illustrates several issues where one area may profit from research in the other area. BDI has studied how intentions link subsequent decisions, whereas QDT has studied methods to calculate candidate goals from desires, and how to derive intentions from goals. We also discuss the role of goals and norms in both approaches. Introduction In recent years the interest in models of decision making for autonomous agents has increased tremendously. Different proposals have been made, rooted in different research traditions and with different objectives. We are interested in the relation between two approaches to decision making. The first is based on an abstract model of the mental attitudes of an agent: beliefs, desires and intentions (BDI) (Bratman 1987; Rao & Georgeff 1991b; Cohen & Levesque 1990). The second is a qualitati...