public CycSymbol getIntermediateStepValidationLevel() {
    Object rawValue = get(INTERMEDIATE_STEP_VALIDATION_LEVEL);
    if (rawValue instanceof CycSymbol) {
      return (CycSymbol) rawValue;
    } else {
      rawValue = getDefaultInferenceParameterDescriptions().getDefaultInferenceParameters().get(INTERMEDIATE_STEP_VALIDATION_LEVEL);
      return (rawValue instanceof CycSymbol) ? (CycSymbol) rawValue : CycObjectFactory.nil;
    }
  }