# PAT-0220 — Authority Merge Conflict

## Ontology Metadata

Code: PAT-0220
Version: PAT-0220@0.1.0
Ontology release: 0.1.0
Updated: 2026-05-10T00:00:00Z
Canonical URL: /workbench/patterns/authority-merge-conflict/

## Summary

A structural condition where multiple authority states are combined over a shared scope without a declared merge, precedence, or reconciliation rule.

## Primary Lenses

- LEN-0150 — Conflict Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/conflict-lens/
  - Summary: Detects mutually incompatible constraints, claims, states, or declarations that cannot be simultaneously satisfied.
- LEN-0270 — Reconciliation Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/reconciliation-lens/
  - Summary: Evaluates whether structural changes align with declared authority updates, version changes, or reconciliation rules.

## Secondary Lenses

- LEN-0110 — Authority Overlay Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/authority-overlay-lens/
  - Summary: Maps declared authority hierarchies onto observed structure to detect absence, override, or conflict.

## Primary Issue Matches

None.

## Supporting Issue Matches

- ISS-0035 — Conflicting Instructions From Different Authorities
  - URL: /workbench/issues/conflicting-instructions-from-different-authorities/
  - Summary: Instructions from different sources, roles, policies, prompts, tools, or workflow authorities conflict without a clear rule for which one governs.
- ISS-0084 — Merge Step Leaves Unresolved Differences
  - URL: /workbench/issues/merge-step-leaves-unresolved-differences/
  - Summary: A merge, reconciliation, or consolidation step combines outputs or reviews but leaves important differences unresolved.
- ISS-0070 — Multiple Policies Say the Same Thing
  - URL: /workbench/issues/multiple-policies-say-the-same-thing/
  - Summary: Multiple policies, rules, or guidance documents express the same requirement, creating redundancy and uncertainty about which one governs.
- ISS-0016 — Permissions Conflict After Being Combined
  - URL: /workbench/issues/permissions-conflict-after-being-combined/
  - Summary: Permissions, approvals, roles, policies, or authority rules that seem valid separately conflict when combined in the same workflow or AI action.
- ISS-0037 — Same Case Has Conflicting Policies
  - URL: /workbench/issues/same-case-has-conflicting-policies/
  - Summary: The same case appears to be governed by multiple policies, rules, or standards that point to incompatible outcomes.