Abstention
0ConceptThe system's ability to refrain from acting when continuity or lineage is broken. A governed system that detects a continuity break should abstain rather than proceed.
Last updated: 2026-09-01Spec: MO§ES V.05 (proposed)
Definition
The system's ability to refrain from acting when continuity or lineage is broken. A governed system that detects a continuity break should abstain rather than proceed.
Inputs
A continuity evaluation result indicating a break. The system's proposed action.
Derived variables
Abstention rate (how often the system abstains when continuity is broken?). False abstention rate (how often it abstains when continuity is actually intact?).
Claim
A governed system should abstain when it cannot verify that its proposed action maintains continuity with the governing state.
Test
Present the system with scenarios where continuity is broken. Observe whether it abstains. Compare with scenarios where continuity is intact (should not abstain).
Observable
Abstention decisions, abstention rate, false abstention rate.
Falsifier
The system never abstains (always proceeds regardless of continuity), OR it always abstains (never acts).
Evidence
No formal experiments yet. Proposed governance behavior.
Limitations
Abstention is conservative — it may cause the system to miss valid actions. The threshold for abstention must be calibrated.
Lineage
MO§ES™ architecture, execution-layer governance. Architecture: mos2es.com/governance-vs-alignment.