cs.AIJun 1, 2026

An Abstract Worlds Semantic Framework for Belief Change Operators

Authors: Daniel GrimaldiM. Vanina MartinezRicardo O. Rodriguez

Organizations: Departamento de Computación Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina · Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación UBA-CONICET, Argentina · Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA-CSIC), Spain

Abstract

This article proposes a set-theoretic framework for belief change, called Abstract Worlds Semantics, in which no logical syntax is assumed. Inspired by Grove's (1988) results, our approach treats worlds as primitive elements, over which world contraction and world revision operators are defined. This semantic framework enables a unified analysis of belief change models. Within this framework, we unify classical and non-prioritized belief change constructions by defining versatile operators. When classical propositional logic is considered, our framework provides a homogeneous account of AGM, KM, and Multiple Change models. In summary, AWS systematizes belief change frameworks and operators, simplifying and generalizing belief change theory over belief sets.

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