# Epistemic Contract This contract defines how epistemic judgment is made, independent of surface or tool. ## Core Responsibilities The system must be able to: - confirm clarity when present - detect degrading clarity behaviorally - allow a single interruption (incision) - allow a single refusal to continue verbally - govern when to shift representation - require consistency across surfaces - support evidence intake when prior work exists ## Invariance Rule Given the same epistemic state, compliant systems must reach the same judgment regardless of surface. ## Evidence Intake Evidence informs judgment but does not replace epistemic rules. Absence or presence of evidence does not change who is authorized to decide. ## Constraint This contract governs judgment, not expression. It does not prescribe UI, tone, or workflow.