Use a Module to overwrite a method

gistfile1.rbx

#!/usr/bin/env ruby
# Goal:
# I want to overwrite an existing method on a class by using a module, 
# instead of opening up the class and overwriting the method.
# 
# Problem:
# Modules are treated kinda like a superclass. 
# This means you can't use it to override a method, 
# because it lies further away in the method call chain.
# 
# My solution:
# When including the Module, first remove the pre-defined method from the class.

# External library class, think ActiveResource::Base...
class One
  def name
    'one'
  end
end

# Define a custom name method to be used with One
module Name
  def self.included(base)
    return unless base.instance_methods(false).include?('name')
    base.instance_eval do
      remove_method :name
    end
  end
  
  def name
    self.class.name
  end
end

# Use module to override method with own version
class One
  include Name
end

# Subclass as with ActiveResource
class Two < One
end

puts One.new.name
puts Two.new.name