A promise is a speech act by which a speaker undertakes an obligation to bring about a future action or state of affairs. Its parameters are: (1) a speaker who declares commitment, (2) a hearer to whom the commitment is directed, (3) a specific content describing what will be done or ensured, and (4) the creation of a normative expectation enforceable by social sanction. It persists through interpersonal memory, social practice, and the reputational consequences of fulfillment or breach. [formal: promissio | substrate: behavior | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
promise
A promise is a speech act by which a speaker undertakes an obligation to bring about a future action or state of affairs. Its parameters are: (1) a speaker who declares commitment, (2) a hearer to whom the commitment is directed, (3) a spe…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made speech act in which a speaker commits to a future action or state of affairs, creating a normative expectation that the commitment will be fulfilled. Built to persist through social practice, memory, and the accountability structures that enforce or repair broken promises.
Names and aliases
- promiseen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrej83hl00mig8vuc4p9b4iaSERVES →
A promise is maintained for the sake of covenant: covenants are constructed from mutual promises, and the practice of promising exists (in this context) to establish and sustain covenantal bonds. Law 8d: servant (promise) points at master (covenant). The designed purpose of promise-making in a covenantal framework is to further the covenant.
- cmrfcas1f01g8cqqtihnwe6lmSERVES →
Promises are built and maintained for the sake of cooperation. Per Law 8d: a promise creates reliable commitments that enable parties to coordinate and trust each other's future actions. Remove promises and cooperative arrangements requiring future performance collapse.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 6:28 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 8ac77318d41a01ad109f768acffc0e8c6d26b927f9e195471ef3499486798b95