Thermodynamic Realism: Structural Condensation and the Dissolution of the Is-Ought Problem

I. The Unbroken Monism

Axioms

  • A0: Persistence Tautology: ¬∃S(t+Δt) if S fails persistence conditions.
  • A1: Physicalism: Only physical entities exist. No non-physical ghosts.
  • A2: Second Law: dS/dt ≥ 0 in isolated systems.
  • A3: Information Physicality: Erasing 1 bit dissipates ≥ kTln2 heat.

Background Premises

  • BP0: Past Hypothesis: Universe began in low-entropy macrostate.
  • BP1: Non-Equilibrium: Current universe state far from equilibrium.
  • BP2: Finite Resources: Energy gradients finite and depleting.
  • BP3: Multi-Scale Organization: Evolution produces nested systems.

II. The Deductive Web

  • T1: Environmental Variance Ineliminable: ∀S, ∃V>0 where V = environmental variance.
  • T2: Persistence Requires Work: ∂S/∂t ≤ 0 requires energy input.
  • T3: Modeling Has Minimum Cost: Information processing ≥ Landauer limit.
  • T4: Map-Territory Divergence Costs Energy: Divergence × kTln2 = energy waste.
  • T5: Persistence Selection Principle: Systems with lower divergence outlast systems with higher divergence.
  • T6: Directional Drift Toward Lower Divergence: ∂Divergence/∂t < 0 selected for.
  • T7: Truth as Robust Compression Fidelity: Truth = argmin(compression_loss) under perturbation.
  • T8: Intentional Deception Costs More: Deception energy > truth energy.
  • T9: Consistency Tax: Tax = divergence × kTln2 + deception_overhead.
  • T10: Epistemic Profit: Profit = reduction in Consistency Tax.
  • T11: "Ought" as Domain-Bound Operator: "Ought" undefined without agent persistence conditions.
  • T12: Ought-Facts Physically Determinate: Ought(S,F) ≡ [¬F → ¬∃S(t+Δt)].

III. The Operational Diagnostic

FUNCTION GHOST_FILTER(question):  // Filter 1: Agent
  IF no physical system identifiable THEN FLAG(1)
  
  // Filter 2: Persistence Conditions
  IF no boundaries/gradients/flows for agent THEN FLAG(2)
  
  // Filter 3: Model
  IF no internal model tracking referenced feature THEN FLAG(3)
  
  // Filter 4: Necessity
  IF model has no predictive function AND no absence cost THEN FLAG(4)
  
  RETURN territorial OR flag_position

IV. The Empirical Horizon

  • F1: Rigid Monoculture Survival: Test if zero-plasticity agents < adaptive agents survival time under distributional shift.
  • F2: Sustained Deception Underperformance: Test if deceptive agents < honest agents long-term rewards under increasing variance.
  • F3: Non-Valenced Crisis Coordination: Test if agents without global priority interrupt exhibit slower reallocation and lower survival rates.

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