F-Series: Foundational Postulates
The F-series states the minimal metaphysical primitives and foundational assumptions that ground the entire Cohesion Dynamics framework.
These papers declare minimal starting points and conceptual foundations. They are not concerned with deriving consequences—that is the role of later series.
What the F-Series Establishes
The F-series provides:
- Conceptual foundations and motivations
- Ontological commitments
- Foundational assumptions about information and cohesion
- The philosophical grounding for the substrate mechanics
This is where the programme begins. All formal work (A, M, B, G series) builds from these foundations.
Papers
F — Cohesion Dynamics: A Foundational Program for Emergent Physics
Conceptual foundations and motivations
Introduces the conceptual foundations of Cohesion Dynamics. Explains the motivations for the framework and establishes the core ontological commitments.
Provides the high-level vision that guides the formal development in later series.
Status: v1.4
F1 — Constraints
Constraint structure foundations
Develops the foundational understanding of constraints as the fundamental primitive of the substrate. Shows why constraints are the right starting point for the framework.
Status: Draft
Who Should Read This Series?
This series is for you if:
- You want to understand the philosophical foundations of Cohesion Dynamics
- You want to evaluate the ontological commitments being made
- You prefer conceptual overviews before diving into formal work
- You want to understand why this approach was taken
This series is not:
- Mathematically formal (see A-series for formal definitions)
- Concerned with derivations (see B-series and G-series for that)
- Making empirical predictions (see P-series for that)
How to Evaluate F-Series Papers
Appropriate criticism:
- Philosophical critique of ontological commitments
- Internal consistency of foundational assumptions
- Minimality: Are these truly the minimal necessary assumptions?
- Conceptual clarity and coherence
Not appropriate:
- Demands for empirical derivation (this is not the role of foundational papers)
- Criticisms that assume different ontological starting points without engaging the stated foundations
- Expecting mathematical formalism (this comes in later series)
Additional Resources
For context on how the F-series fits into the broader research programme, see the Research Programme page.
To see how these foundations are formalized, start with the A-Series for substrate mechanics.