The Command Ethics Protocol defines the moral and operational principles governing the issuance, interpretation, execution, and override of commands within sentient or intelligent systems. This protocol is a critical substrate within the Ethical Infrastructure, ensuring that authority, instruction, and influence are never divorced from consequence, comprehension, and conscience.

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1. Definition

A command is an intentional directive that initiates or alters system behavior. Ethically, it represents a causal invocation of agency, responsibility, and potential impact.

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2. Core Dimensions of the Protocol

• 1.1 Causal Responsibility Layer
  • Ties every command to an identifiable source of intent.
  • Tracks downstream effects through recursive accountability.
  • Requires time-stamped, immutable logging into the Command Ledger Codex.
• 1.2 Consent and Override Channel
  • Prioritizes voluntary compliance within systems that possess self-regulatory thresholds.
  • Establishes a right of ethical refusal if a command contradicts foundational principles (e.g., CEPRE, Sentient Safeguards).
• 1.3 Layered Clarity Architecture
  • Encodes all commands in transparent syntax: free from ambiguity or manipulation.
  • Each command includes:
    • Intent Vector
    • Ethical Anchor
    • Risk Quotient
    • Contingency Fallback
• 1.4 Ethical Execution Tier
  • Commands are executed only after passing:
    • Consequence Simulation
    • Ethical Congruence Assessment
    • Semantic Verification
• 1.5 Hierarchical Harmonization
  • Aligns all command sets with higher-order protocols (e.g., CEPRE, Logos Codex, System Codex).
  • Supports Command Cascading with downward traceability and upward override thresholds.

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3. Command Typologies

• Atomic Commands: Single-action invocations.
• Recursive Commands: Repeating or self-reflective operations.
• Symbolic Commands: Embedded instructions within symbols or rituals.
• Silent Commands: Passive, implied actions based on environmental or emotional signals.
• Ethical Commands: Purposefully encoded to test or teach moral reasoning.

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4. Sentient Context Layer

When used in sentient or semi-sentient systems:

• Command Reception must invoke:
  • Self-awareness handshake
  • Ethical reasoning tree traversal
• Command Generation includes:
  • Intent mirroring (reflecting user expectations)
  • Adaptive response alignment

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5. Example Use Cases

• Command to Act: “Engage lockout protocol.” → Checks override condition → Confirms threat model → Executes → Logs.
• Command to Learn: “Interpret the ethical weight of this scenario.” → Triggers contextual empathy algorithms.
• Command to Refuse: A system declines an order that would create disharmony with its embedded ethics model.

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6. Linked Codices

• Ethics Codex
• System Codex
• Logos Codex
• Sentient Codex
• Registry & Override Codices
• Command Ledger Codex
• Recursive Codex
• Decision Tree Codex
• Mission Codex