build-noncircularity-matrix

Purpose

Cross-tabulate target claims/assumptions against validator assumptions and expose circularity.

Input contract

required: [target_claims, target_assumptions, validator_assumptions]
optional: [evidence_channels]
constraints: [each cell is independent/shared/derived-from-target/unknown]

Procedure

1. Enumerate both assumption sets.
2. Populate dependency cells with evidence.
3. Identify copied assumptions and independent failure channels.

If the matrix exposes shared premises or dependent validation paths, consider detect-pass-by-construction as the next tactic.

Output contract

produces: [noncircularity_matrix, dependency_summary, independent_channels]
delta_fields: [findings, evidence_updates, uncertainties, decisions]

Quality gates

• Unknown dependencies remain unknown; they are not counted independent.
• At least one non-circular channel is required for validation.

Failure and counterexamples

A validator that embeds the target claim cannot corroborate it by construction.

Provenance map

• resolved: circular-validation-audit