A Promise Theoretic Account of the Boeing 737 Max MCAS Algorithm Affair

Abstract: Many public controversies involve the assessment of statements about which we have imperfect information. Without a structured approach, it is quite difficult to develop an approach to reasoning which is not based on ad hoc choices. Forms of logic have been used in the past to try to bring such clarity, but these fail for a variety of reasons. We demonstrate a simple approach to bringing a standardized approach to semantics, in certain discourse, using Promise Theory. As a case, we use Promise Theory (PT) to collect and structure publicly available information about the case of the MCAS software component for the Boeing 737 Max flight control system.