The kind of thing that happens when you don't TDD... At least this class works the *second* time you instantiate it...

gistfile1.txt

class Ability
  include CanCan::Ability

  def initialize(user)

    def initialize(user)
      user ||= User.new # guest user (not logged in)
      # abilities defined here

      if user.role == "admin"
        # abilities defined here
      end

      if user.role == "super"
        # abilities defined here
      end
    end
  end
end