LIRa Session: Davide Grossi

Speaker: Davide Grossi

Date and Time: Thursday, May 24th 2018, 16:30-18:00

Venue: ILLC Seminar Room F1.15, Science Park 107.

Title: Interactive Epistemology for Blockchain Protocols?

Abstract: This is an exploratory talk focusing on the nexus between distributed ledgers on one side, and epistemic logic and game theory on the other side. The aim is to sketch a research agenda exploring the epistemological foundations of blockchain protocols. I will highlight, through a series of examples, the incentive structures and epistemic assumptions underpinning the correct functioning of consensus protocols for distributed ledgers (e.g., Bitcoin’s Nakamoto consensus, Stellar’s federated voting), and point at possible research directions.