Ontology

Ontology: What Fundamentally Exists

Beyond Assumptions

The current laws of physics assume a lot, such as 19 constants, fields, spacetime structure. A theory that assumes "something" is incomplete. It is a theory of everything minus "something".

$$ \text{ToE}_{\text{incomplete}} = \text{ToE}_{\text{complete}} \land \neg \text{Assumptions} $$

The other extreme is a theory that does not assume anything. However, assuming nothing is already an assumption. Something must be assumed to get mathematics (axiomatic system) and a theory of physics.

The Fundamental Substrate and Observed Reality

Finite or Infinite?

If the fundamental nature of everything were finite, one could immediately ask: finite by how much? Why $n$ bits rather than $n + 1$ ? What sets that number? Any fixed finite limit appears contingent and calls for a deeper explanatory layer. For this reason we do not assume finiteness. However, an observer is finite.

Informational?

We do not assume information as primitive. Information presupposes distinguishability — at its simplest, binary distinction. But if a binary object is allowed as primitive, then why not continuous (e.g. sinusoidal wave) too? Declaring reality to be fundamentally digital is itself a substantive ontological commitment that nothing prior licenses.

Conclusion

We therefore do not presuppose that reality is fundamentally finite, discrete, informational, mathematical, or governed by prior external laws.

We do not claim to know what it is.

However, the observed reality appears to be finite and informational.

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