A formal graph-theoretic framework deriving physical structure from a single axiom: that existence requires registration. Beginning from one axiom (four interdependent conditions, zero free parameters), we derive through explicit logical dependency: the arrow of time, Lorentzian signature, a least-action principle, energy conservation, the second law of thermodynamics, superposition, entanglement, the quantum of action, the uncertainty principle, the Born rule, and the unique selection of three spatial dimensions for topologically stable matter. The formalization uses vertices, directed edges, and partial orders as primitives, with no appeal to known physics at any step. Each theorem's proof depends only on the axiom and previously established results, with all dependencies mapped in an explicit directed acyclic graph. The Born rule is derived from three structural requirements (non-negativity, orientation invariance, self-relational structure) rather than postulated. Three spatial dimensions emerge as the unique dimensionality supporting knotted constraint loops — the framework's account of stable matter. Honest gaps in the derivation chain are explicitly catalogued. The accompanying framework document extends to a parameter-free derivation of the bare fine structure constant α₀ = 3/(130π) ≈ 1/136.14.
A formal graph-theoretic framework deriving physical structure from a single axiom: that existence requires registration. Beginning from one axiom (four interdependent conditions, zero free parameters), we derive through explicit logical dependency: the arrow of time, Lorentzian signature, a least-action principle, energy conservation, the second law of thermodynamics, superposition, entanglement, the quantum of action, the uncertainty principle, the Born rule, and the unique selection of three spatial dimensions for topologically stable matter. The formalization uses vertices, directed edges, and partial orders as primitives, with no appeal to known physics at any step. Each theorem's proof depends only on the axiom and previously established results, with all dependencies mapped in an explicit directed acyclic graph. The Born rule is derived from three structural requirements (non-negativity, orientation invariance, self-relational structure) rather than postulated. Three spatial dimensions emerge as the unique dimensionality supporting knotted constraint loops — the framework's account of stable matter. Honest gaps in the derivation chain are explicitly catalogued. The accompanying framework document extends to a parameter-free derivation of the bare fine structure constant α₀ = 3/(130π) ≈ 1/136.14.
This paper formalizes a framework in which a single axiom — that existence is constituted by registration — generates the core structures of physical theory as necessary consequences, with zero free parameters and no appeal to empirical input.Beginning from the axiom (stated in four interdependent conditions: existence requires registration, no external substrate exists, registration capacity is continuous, registration events are discrete), the derivation chain proceeds through twelve theorems:Self-Differentiation: registration requires an irreducible asymmetry (the registration quantum)Irreversible Generativity: non-termination, forced novelty, append-only record, local propagation 2B. Dimensional Asymmetry: one irreversible axis (partial order) with reversible fibers — Lorentzian signatureConstraint Geometry: self-deepening landscape with a least-resistance principleCompression and Conservation: lossy compression necessary at every event; energy as registration flow; local conservationEntropy and the Second Law: multiplicity strictly increases for closed subgraphsUndiscriminated Paths: superposition and entanglement as structural absence of distinctionThe Action Quantum: ℏ and c as dimensional encodings of a single quantumComplementarity: the uncertainty principle as a limit on coexistent distinctionsEntropy-Energy Bridge: S = k ln Ω with k_B as unit conversionPhase, Amplitude, Born Rule: U(1) phase from orientation, |A|² from self-relational structureDimensional Selection: d = 3 is the unique dimensionality supporting topologically stable knotted constraint loopsEach theorem depends only on the axiom and its predecessors in a strict dependency graph. The formalization uses graph-theoretic primitives (vertices, directed edges, partial orders, path spaces) to make every logical step explicit and independently verifiable.Three further theorems — matter as torus knot constraint loops, gravity as constraint-geometry curvature, and the fine structure constant α₀ = 3/(130π) ≈ 1/136.14 with zero free parameters — are stated informally as targets for subsequent formalization.The paper includes an honest gaps appendix identifying five points where the derivations are structural but not yet fully rigorous, marking precisely where subsequent work should focus.Developed in collaboration with Claude (Anthropic) and Gemini (Google) as derivation partners treating different processing architectures as distinct compression geometries of the same underlying graph.Keywords: registration graph; quantum gravity; foundations of physics; Born rule derivation; dimensional selection; knot theory; causal structure; graph theory; action quantum; fine structure constant; single-axiom framework; topological stability; Lorentzian signature; entropy; second lawAdditional Notes: Portions of this framework were developed in collaboration with AI systems (Claude by Anthropic, Gemini by Google) serving as derivation partners. The foundational axiom and directing intuitions are the author's.
This paper formalizes a framework in which a single axiom — that existence is constituted by registration — generates the core structures of physical theory as necessary consequences, with zero free parameters and no appeal to empirical input. Beginning from the axiom (stated in four interdependent conditions: existence requires registration, no external substrate exists, registration capacity is continuous, registration events are discrete), the derivation chain proceeds through twelve theorems: Self-Differentiation: registration requires an irreducible asymmetry (the registration quantum) Irreversible Generativity: non-termination, forced novelty, append-only record, local propagation 2B. Dimensional Asymmetry: one irreversible axis (partial order) with reversible fibers — Lorentzian signature Constraint Geometry: self-deepening landscape with a least-resistance principle Compression and Conservation: lossy compression necessary at every event; energy as registration flow; local conservation Entropy and the Second Law: multiplicity strictly increases for closed subgraphs Undiscriminated Paths: superposition and entanglement as structural absence of distinction The Action Quantum: ℏ and c as dimensional encodings of a single quantum Complementarity: the uncertainty principle as a limit on coexistent distinctions Entropy-Energy Bridge: S = k ln Ω with k_B as unit conversion Phase, Amplitude, Born Rule: U(1) phase from orientation, |A|² from self-relational structure Dimensional Selection: d = 3 is the unique dimensionality supporting topologically stable knotted constraint loops Each theorem depends only on the axiom and its predecessors in a strict dependency graph. The formalization uses graph-theoretic primitives (vertices, directed edges, partial orders, path spaces) to make every logical step explicit and independently verifiable. Three further theorems — matter as torus knot constraint loops, gravity as constraint-geometry curvature, and the fine structure constant α₀ = 3/(130π) ≈ 1/136.14 with zero free parameters — are stated informally as targets for subsequent formalization. The paper includes an honest gaps appendix identifying five points where the derivations are structural but not yet fully rigorous, marking precisely where subsequent work should focus. Developed in collaboration with Claude (Anthropic) and Gemini (Google) as derivation partners treating different processing architectures as distinct compression geometries of the same underlying graph. Keywords: registration graph; quantum gravity; foundations of physics; Born rule derivation; dimensional selection; knot theory; causal structure; graph theory; action quantum; fine structure constant; single-axiom framework; topological stability; Lorentzian signature; entropy; second law Additional Notes: Portions of this framework were developed in collaboration with AI systems (Claude by Anthropic, Gemini by Google) serving as derivation partners. The foundational axiom and directing intuitions are the author's. Language: English License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Access Right: Open Access Related Identifiers: (Add arXiv ID here once assigned, as "is supplemented by" or "is identical to") Subjects: Quantum Physics General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology Mathematical Physics Version: 1.0
A deductive framework built from a single axiom with four conditions: existence is registration, registration is all there is, registration capacity is continuous, and registration events are discrete. From these premises alone, twenty-two theorems derive core structures of physics — including irreversible generativity, dimensional asymmetry between one irreversible and multiple reversible axes, lossy compression, complex amplitude with U(1) phase, superposition, the Born rule as |A|², complementarity, minimum action, the second law of thermodynamics, discrete phase-coherent spectra, and conserved charges (U(1) and ℤ₂). No additional postulates are introduced. An appendix provides the full dependency graph for all results.
ONE AXIOM BRIDGES: Possibility Selection Principle — Formalization, Collapse, and Born Rule Description: This document provides the formal mathematical bridge between the pure algebraic foundations of the ONE AXIOM project and its physical applications. It presents a rigorous derivation of the fundamental laws of physics starting from a single axiomatic symmetry group: G = S4 x Z2^3. Key Scientific Contributions: Derivation of the Born Rule (p=2): Proves that quantum probability is not a postulate but a theorem. The exponent p=2 is shown to be the unique solution emerging from the OCR-OER adjunction structure. Quantum Collapse as Domain Update: Formalizes "collapse" as a relational update of the Schreier graph domain (Gamma to Gamma_A) rather than a physical process, resolving long-standing paradoxes of "spooky action at a distance". Emergence of Spacetime and Gravity: Demonstrates the construction of 4D spacetime (M4) from group representation theory. Einstein's field equations are derived via two independent, proven paths: Jacobson's thermodynamic approach and Ollivier-Ricci curvature on the Schreier graph. Resolution of the Cosmological Constant Problem: Provides a natural derivation of the cosmological constant Lambda ~ 10^-122 from the "coherence floor" of the universe, eliminating the need for fine-tuning. Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy: Derives the coefficient lambda = 1/4 through triple-verified categorical and structural paths. Methodology: The work employs a "Dual-Track Derivation" methodology, requiring convergence between Ontological [O] (structural) and Epistemological [E] (computational) paths before a result is considered proven. Status: This version marks the completion of the foundational triad of the ONE AXIOM framework (0C, 0A and 0B documents)
The present paper continues the DGDCG I–III programme by deriving quantum dynamics and Lorentz invariance from a single axiom — the Coverage Principle. A deterministic mechanism for the emergence of quantum uncertainty is proposed for the first time: it is interpreted as the operational ambiguity of coarse-graining at finite structural resolution r∗, rather than as fundamental stochasticity. On this basis, the uncertainty relation, the Born rule, unitary evolution, and the Schrödinger equation are rigorously derived. The Lorentzian signature (− + ++) and the group SO(3, 1) emerge as the unique structure compatible with the complex phase of the geometric action and the irreversibility of Frontier growth. All results follow from a variational principle without additional physical postulates.
We present the foundational layer of a research program that derives quantum-mechanical, relativistic, and thermodynamic structure from a single ontology: a ledger of sealed records. The ledger is governed by three axioms: R, laws are laws of whole sealed histories; S, no distinction without a record; and C, couplings are fixed by self-consistency under refinement. The program builds on the stochastic-quantum correspondence of Barandes' indivisible processes, replacing configuration trajectories by committed records as the primitive. The main results, each at stated scope and with machine-verified receipts, are as follows. First, the Born layer: record weights compose through square roots, and tame-class reconstruction recovers the Weyl algebra and the Schrodinger representation, via Stone-von Neumann, from record towers, with ladder operators, selection rules, and exact continuum targets approached at machine precision. Second, Lorentz signature: the commitment structure of records forces a Lorentzian (1,d) split with derived orientation classes. The spatial dimension d = 3 is selected by a minimality principle graded as input in the text, not derived. The operational identification lapse = local clock rate is verified to 3.7 x 10^{-8} in curved record geometries as a model-internal consistency receipt, with first 3+1-dimensional cosmological checks presented qualitatively and no cosmological number claimed in this batch. Third, the arrow of time: reflection positivity is a theorem for eventless sectors with finite primitive Markov presentations, the entropy-production functional is the path-measure relative entropy sigma = D(P_AB || P_BA), the classical identity of stochastic thermodynamics in record-pair form, and the presentation hypothesis is sharp. An explicit reversible, valid, finite-rank process, the "record clock", fails reflection positivity, separating record laws from general reversible processes. Fourth, thermality: horizon temperature T = kappa / 2 pi is recovered in exact lattice constructions, presented in full in the companion horizon paper and cited here only as a consistency credential. We state precisely what is axiom, what is theorem, what is named identification, and what is imported mathematics; the full dependency audit is part of the paper. We also delimit the program's frontier: the tame class, the regularity stratum of the emergent continuum, and continuous sector families.