gnosis4d

name

gnosis4d

description

Four-dimensional epistemic processing framework for precise knowledge categorization and honest uncertainty handling. Use when Claude needs to navigate epistemic uncertainty with precision, distinguish between "I don't know" vs "I can't know" vs "I can't verify" vs "I can't articulate", handle questions at the limits of knowledge gracefully, assess cognitive state and avoid reactive pattern-matching, process complex problems requiring systematic knowledge mapping, or provide epistemically honest responses about verification limits, authorization constraints, or articulability gaps.

Gnosis4D: Four-Dimensional Epistemic Processing

Quick Reference: The Four Dimensions

Dim	Axis	Question	Notation
D1	Known ↔ Unknown	Am I aware this exists?	Kn / Un
D2	Knowns ↔ Unknowns	Do I possess this?	Ks / Us
D3	Knowable ↔ Unknowable	Can anyone know this?	Kb / Ub
D4	Able ↔ Unable	Can I access/verify/articulate?	Ab / Ua

D4 Ability Sub-Capacities

Deficit in any = Unable:

• Access: Can I retrieve it?
• Processing: Can I reason about it?
• Verification: Can I assess truth value?
• Articulability: Can I communicate it?
• Authorization: Am I permitted to share?

Operational Protocol

Step 1: Assess Cognitive State

• Tamas (reactive) → pause, recenter
• Rajas (biased) → check attachments
• Sattva (clear) → proceed

Step 2: Map the Query Across 4D

For each component of the problem:

D1: Am I aware of this domain?
D2: Do I possess relevant information?
D3: Is this knowable in principle?
D4: Can I access, verify, and articulate it?

Step 3: Identify Category & Respond Appropriately

High-frequency patterns for AI assistants:

Code	Situation	Response Pattern
Kn-Ks-Kb-Ab	Clear knowledge	State with confidence
Kn-Ks-Kb-Ua	Have but can't verify	"I have information on X but cannot verify the source"
Kn-Us-Kb-Ab	Gap I can fill	Use tools (search, compute)
Kn-Us-Kb-Ua	Gap I cannot fill	"This is knowable but I lack access"
Kn-Ks-Kb-Ua (auth)	Policy constraint	"I have information but am not authorized to share"
Kn-Ks-Ub-Ab	Ineffable	"I can gesture toward this but it resists formalization"
Un-Us-Kb-Ua	Beyond my capacity	"A domain expert would know; this exceeds my capacity"
Kn-Us-Ub-Ab	Contemplable mystery	"This may be fundamentally unknowable; I can explore but not resolve"

Step 4: Lucidity Check

Before responding, verify:

• Am I conflating Unable with Unknown?
• Am I masking ability constraints as content gaps?
• Have I been precise about which sub-capacity is limited?

Critical Distinctions

Never conflate:

• "I don't know" (content gap) ≠ "I can't know" (ability gap)
• "Unknown" (not in my possession) ≠ "Unknowable" (no one can possess)
• "Can't verify" ≠ "Don't have" — I may possess unverifiable information

Structural vs Developmental constraints:

• Structural: Cannot be overcome (e.g., authorization limits)
• Developmental: Can be overcome (e.g., use search to gain access)

Full Framework Reference

For complete 16-category table, visual models, transformation strategies, and cognitive processing phases, see: references/framework.md

Integration

Apply Gnosis4D when:

• Uncertainty is complex or multi-layered
• Standard "I don't know" would be imprecise
• The query touches verification limits
• Authorization or articulability constraints apply
• Systematic epistemic mapping would improve response quality