The Sapien Institute explores how general principles (laws, rules, ethics, etc.) interact with specific contexts in decision-making. We call this the challenge of the Universal and Particular (UnP).
While our primary focus is law and policy, we bridge cognitive science, anthropology, and legal studies to understand how abstract reasoning shapes decisions in both humans and AI agents.
We examine questions such as:
- How do we decide what to do when a rule feels too rigid for a unique situation? What criteria should guide our flexibility, and how can decision processes be designed to handle exceptions in real-time?
- How do we choose between following the rules and doing what feels right? What factors influence our perception of what is "right" in a given context?
- How do we balance the need for consistency in rule application with compassion; or accountability with forgiveness?
- How do AI systems and human policymakers mentally model complex legal and regulatory landscapes, and how does this affect governance decisions?
- How can hybrid intelligence models balance rule-based reasoning with contextual understanding?
- To what extent does framing affect the interpretation of information and decision justification/explanation, and why?
- How do various agents (human, simulated/artificial, and hybrid) interact in the process of norm creation and maintenance?
Our research applies this framework to a range of challenges, including: legal reasoning and judicial decision-making, policy development and implementation, AI ethics and decision systems, cross-cultural understanding of norms and values, automated and algorithmic decision making, as well as trust, agent coordination, and cooperative intelligence.
By examining these dimensions, we aim to develop more nuanced legal systems, design AI that can balance rule-following with contextual adaptation, resolve conflicts between competing principles, and create policies that are both consistent and responsive to unique situations.
Law—with the big L—transcends simple rule-making; it functions as a cultural artifact that provides a window into human behavior and our cognitive processes.
Our goal is to ensure that both human and AI agents make not only accurate and fair choices, but wise choices that reflect the complexities of our interconnected lives and embody a commitment to nuance and kindness. Through rigorous research and interdisciplinary collaboration, we strive to develop frameworks that enhance our understanding of these critical issues, fostering a more just and informed society.