# Discretion as a choice ## Intention I want to give a body a choice of its own action within set bounds. ## Incorrect form and why it stays silent ```text title="Incorrect form" then discretion Choose { holder p; }; ``` Discretion is not a fifth modality. Here it is a liberty of choice; if the choice changes someone else's status, a power with valid_when and effect is needed. ## Correct form ```law language "law.core" version "0.2"; package recipes.a.r11 version "0.1.0"; namespace "urn:recipe:a-positions:11"; entity Person; relation registered(p: Person); relation done(p: Person); relation option_chosen(p: Person); rule R strict { for p: Person; when registered(p); then liberty Choose { holder p; action option_chosen(p); window [@2026-09-01, @2026-09-10]; }; } ``` ## Frozen execution scene | Facts and snapshot | Question | Answer | |---|---|---| | the choice is permitted; 2026-09-05 | `positions()` | `position(Choose, ACTIVE);` / `COMPUTED` | | the choice has not yet been made; 2026-09-05 | `truth(option_chosen(entity_ref("urn:recipe:a-positions:11:p")))` | `truth_status == NEITHER;` / `COMPUTED` | ```law test "choice liberty active" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-05; decision_time @2026-09-05T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-30T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert registered(entity_ref("urn:recipe:a-positions:11:p")); } evaluate positions(); expect position(Choose, ACTIVE); expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ```law test "unmade choice stays unknown" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-05; decision_time @2026-09-05T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-30T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert registered(entity_ref("urn:recipe:a-positions:11:p")); } evaluate truth(option_chosen(entity_ref("urn:recipe:a-positions:11:p"))); expect truth_status == NEITHER; expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ## Counterfactual Mutation: `then liberty Choose` → `then discretion Choose`; rejection LDC-E0201. Additional counterfactuals are shown as separate scenes. ## Boundary Reasonableness and proportionality of a decision may require a judgment. Liberty of choice does not mean that every chosen legal effect is valid.