# Classify with an exception ## Intent I want to drop the ordinary qualification when an established exception applies. The ordinary qualification and its exception are different rules. ## Wrong form and why it stays silent ```law title="Incorrect form" classification eligible(p: Person) defeater { when young(p); } ``` A classification must support the class. The exception is written as a separate defeater, not as force defeater on classification. ## Correct form ```law language "law.core" version "0.2"; package recipes.g.r03 version "0.1.0"; namespace "urn:recipe:g-concepts:03"; entity Person; relation young(p: Person) kind empirical; relation exceptional(p: Person); classification eligible(p: Person) defeasible { when young(p); } rule Exclude defeater { for p: Person; when exceptional(p); defeat eligible(p); } ``` ## Frozen execution scene | Facts on 13.09.2026 | Question | Answer | |---|---|---| | ordinary case | `truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")))` | `truth_status == TRUE_ONLY;` / `COMPUTED` | | exception | `truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")))` | `truth_status == NEITHER;` / `COMPUTED` | | no ground | `truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")))` | `truth_status == NEITHER;` / `COMPUTED` | | defeater removed | `truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")))` | `truth_status == TRUE_ONLY;` / `COMPUTED` | ```law test "ordinary case classifies" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-13; decision_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert young(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); } evaluate truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p"))); expect truth_status == TRUE_ONLY; expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ```law test "exception defeats classification" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-13; decision_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert young(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); assert exceptional(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); } evaluate truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p"))); expect truth_status == NEITHER; expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ```law test "no ground stays unknown" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-13; decision_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert exceptional(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); } evaluate truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p"))); expect truth_status == NEITHER; expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ```law test "removed defeater restores classification" { given { context { legal_time @2026-09-13; decision_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; knowledge_time @2026-09-13T09:00:00+05:00; timezone "Asia/Almaty"; } assert young(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); assert exceptional(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p")); } evaluate truth(eligible(entity_ref("urn:recipe:g-concepts:03:p"))); expect truth_status == TRUE_ONLY; expect evaluation_status == COMPUTED; } ``` ## Counterfactual Mutation `classification eligible(p: Person) defeasible` → `classification eligible(p: Person) defeater`: LDC-E0201. ## Boundary A defeater removes support but does not prove not eligible. A strict classification is not cancelled by the same exception.