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Identity

The semantic property by which an Entity or Concept is distinguishable as the same Entity or Concept across contexts, time, and representations.

Semantic Identity

semantic_id: wsf:Identity
preferred_name: Identity
aliases: [Semantic Identity, Distinguishability]
status: Normative
version: 1.0.0
classification: Tier 1 (Foundational)
parent: wsf:Disposition
authority: WSF

Definition

Identity is the semantic property that allows an Entity or Concept to be recognized as the same Entity or Concept across different contexts, times, representations, and assertions.

Identity is NOT:

  • A name (names can change);
  • A label (labels can be ambiguous);
  • A representation (representations can be transformed);
  • A location (locations can change);
  • A version (versions evolve while identity persists).

Identity IS:

  • The persistent "this-ness" that distinguishes X from not-X;
  • Surviving representation changes;
  • Surviving context changes (where appropriate);
  • Surviving version evolution (per ADR-WSF-16);
  • Surviving naming/labeling changes.

Two Distinct Notions of "Identity"

WSF recognizes that "Identity" can mean different things. This ADR governs the broader semantic concept of Identity. Concept Identity (governed by ADR-WSF-18) is the application of Identity to semantic concepts specifically.

Notion Scope Governed By
Identity (this concept) All semantic artifacts This ADR (proposed)
Concept Identity Concepts specifically ADR-WSF-18

Why Identity Is Foundational

Identity is foundational because:

  1. Reference requires distinguishability : to say "OTCHERE Inc", one must be able to distinguish it.
  2. Assertions require stable subjects : "OTCHERE possesses Capability X" requires stable identity of OTCHERE.
  3. Evolution requires persistence : concepts evolve while maintaining identity (per ADR-WSF-16).
  4. Integration requires resolution : cross-system references resolve to identities.
  5. Provenance requires attribution : provenance links assertions to their origin (requires identity).

Without Identity, semantic claims become unanchored.

Identity Dimensions

WSF distinguishes the following identity dimensions:

1. Identity by Meaning

The core identity for Concepts ; a Concept is identified by what it means.

Example: wsf:Capability is identified as "the concept of grounded potential".

2. Identity by Stable Reference

The core identity for Entities ; an Entity is identified by a stable reference (e.g., a persistent identifier).

Example: OTCHERE Inc is identified by registration, name, or assigned ID.

3. Identity by Role

An Entity may have a different identity in different roles.

Example: Kwesi the Person vs Kwesi the Enterprise Architect.

4. Identity by Context

An Entity may be the same across contexts but identified differently.

Example: The same person in OTCHERE and in OpenDEA.

5. Identity by Time

Identity may persist through time but be qualified by temporal validity.

Example: "OTCHERE Inc" exists since incorporation, but its legal form changes.

Identity vs Naming (Critical Distinction)

Aspect Identity Name
Nature Semantic property Label
Stability Stable (per ADR-WSF-16) Mutable
Uniqueness Unique by construction May collide
Resolution Resolves to the entity/concept May be ambiguous
Persistence Persists through evolution Changes freely
Machine handling Resolvable Lookup table required

A name is a way to refer to an identity; identity is what the name refers to.

Identity Resolution

Identity SHALL be resolvable:

Reference → Identity Resolution Service → Entity/Concept

Resolution methods:

  1. Direct lookup: Known identity → entity/concept
  2. Name resolution: Name → identity (with disambiguation)
  3. Alias resolution: Alias → identity
  4. Cross-namespace mapping: External identity → WSF identity
  5. Version-aware lookup: Identity + version → specification

Identity Persistence Through Change

Change Type Identity Behavior
Name change Identity persists
Alias added Identity persists
Alias removed Identity persists
Representation change Identity persists
Context change (compatible) Identity persists
Scope change (compatible) Identity persists
Semantic clarification Identity persists
Semantic correction (intended meaning restored) Identity persists
Semantic extension Identity persists
Semantic breaking change New identity; old deprecated
Identity-changing transformation New identity

Identity and Specialization

When a concept is specialized:

wsf:Capability (parent identity)
   ↓ specializes
wsf:BusinessCapability (child identity — new)
  • The parent retains its identity;
  • The child receives its own identity;
  • The child's identity MUST reference the parent's identity through a specializes relationship.

This ensures:

  • Parent-child relationships are traceable;
  • Specialization cannot be silent;
  • Each concept has a unique identity.

Identity and Time

Identity may be qualified by time:

- entity: OTCHERE Inc
  identity: wsf-id:OTCHERE-Inc-stable-id
  temporal:
    exists_since: 2014-01-01
    exists_until: open-ended
  forms:
    - form: Corporation
      valid_from: 2014-01-01
      valid_until: present

The identity persists; the temporal validity may change.

Identity and Provenance

Identity includes provenance attribution:

- identity: wsf-id:OTCHERE-Inc-stable-id
  provenance:
    assigned_by: WSF
    asserted_by: OTCHERE Inc Architecture Team
    authority: OTCHERE Inc Board
    created_at: 2026-08-29

This enables tracking of who established the identity.

Identity and Trust

Identity may carry trust assessments:

- identity: wsf-id:unknown-entity-12345
  trust:
    level: Provisional
    basis: External claim, no independent verification

Trust distinguishes:

  • Authoritatively identified entities (high trust);
  • Provisionally identified entities (lower trust);
  • Disputed identities (needs resolution);
  • Unknown identities (requires investigation).

Identity Metadata Schema

Every Identity SHALL carry:

identity:
  semantic_id: wsf:<id>              # The stable identity
  type: Concept | Entity | Relationship | Assertion | Context | etc.
  preferred_name: Human-readable name
  aliases: [Alternative names]
  status: Candidate | Investigating | Proposed | Normative | Deprecated | Retired
  version: Semantic Version
  authority: Governance authority
  parent: Parent identity (if specialized)
  context_applicability: List of applicable contexts
  temporal_validity:
    exists_since: ISO timestamp
    exists_until: ISO timestamp or open-ended
  created: ISO timestamp
  last_modified: ISO timestamp
  superseded_by: New identity (if deprecated)
  provenance:
    source: Where the identity originated
    asserted_by: Who established it
    authority: Governance authority

Identity in Semantic Assertions

Identity is essential for assertions:

- assertion:
  subject:
    identity: wsf-id:OTCHERE-Inc-stable-id   # Identity of subject
  relationship:
    identity: wsf-rel:possesses             # Identity of relationship
  object:
    identity: wsf-cap:OTCHERE-OrderFulfillment  # Identity of object
  context:
    identity: wsf-ctx:enterprise            # Identity of context

Without identity, assertions cannot be unambiguously made.

Related Concepts

  • Entity : The concrete things that have identity
  • Concept : The abstract ideas that have identity
  • Capability : A concept with identity
  • Disposition : Identity of tendencies/potentials

Related ADRs

  • ADR-WSF-18 : Concept Identity (the application of Identity to concepts)
  • ADR-WSF-10 : Semantic Identity & Naming
  • ADR-WSF-16 : Semantic Evolution & Versioning
  • ADR-WSF-21 : Namespace and Reference Model (forthcoming)

Cross-Repository References