Atlas

Entity Characterization Framework (ECF) v0.1

A framework for characterizing any entity through Closure, Scope, and Strata.

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What is Atlas?

Atlas is an autopoietic framework for understanding and characterizing any entity - from atoms to ecosystems, from thoughts to institutions, from tools to traditions.

Core Insight: An entity is a difference that maintains itself and makes a difference.

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Core Concepts

Config(E) = { C, S, Σ, K, R, U }

Every entity has a configuration:

Symbol	Name	Range	Meaning
C	Closure	[0,1]	Degree of self-production
S	Scope	[0,∞)	Extent of relevance field
Σ	Strata	Set	Which organizational levels
K	Capabilities	Set	What it can do
R	Relations	Graph	Connections to other entities
U	Uncertainty	[0,1]	Confidence in characterization

The Four Strata

LOGOS       ────────  Represent, Norm
SENTIENCE   ────────  Feel, Evaluate
LIFE        ────────  Self-produce
MATTER      ────────  Persist

Each stratum enables new capabilities. Higher strata include lower ones.

The Six Geometries

1. Distinction (G1): Where does E end?
2. Transformation (G2): What processes maintain E?
3. Inclusion (G3): What is E part of?
4. Connection (G4): What is E connected to?
5. Reflexion (G5): How does E know itself?
6. Quality (G6): What does E value?

The Eight Domains

Domain	Description	Examples
INERT	Non-living natural	rocks, water, stars
LIVING	Biological	cells, plants, ecosystems
SENTIENT	Conscious	animals, humans
SYMBOLIC	Cultural	languages, stories, art
COLLECTIVE	Institutional	companies, nations
IDEAL	Abstract	numbers, logical laws
EPHEMERAL	Event-like	conversations, dreams
ARTIFICIAL	Human-made	tools, software, AI

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Autopoietic Nature

Atlas can characterize itself:

Config(Atlas) = {
  C: 0.45,  // Partially self-producing
  S: 0.8,   // Universal scope (any entity)
  Σ: { MATTER: true, LOGOS: true },
  K: { PERSIST, REPRESENT, NORM }
}

Atlas extends itself through four protocols:

• Protocol A: Characterize new entity
• Protocol B: Explore boundary disputes
• Protocol C: Integrate wisdom traditions
• Protocol D: Apply to practical problems

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Structure

atlas/
├── AXIS/                    # Frozen core (invariant)
│   ├── GEOMETRIES.md        # The six geometries
│   ├── STRATA.md            # The four strata
│   └── AXIOMS.md            # Foundational principles
├── src/
│   ├── core/                # TypeScript types
│   │   ├── types.ts         # Entity, Config
│   │   ├── axes.ts          # Closure, Scope
│   │   ├── strata.ts        # MATTER→LIFE→SENTIENCE→LOGOS
│   │   ├── capabilities.ts  # 6 capabilities
│   │   ├── domains.ts       # 8 domains
│   │   └── modes.ts         # 4 modes
│   ├── catalog/             # 60+ characterized entities
│   ├── protocols/           # 4 autopoietic protocols
│   └── wisdom/              # Wisdom tradition mappings
└── docs/                    # Documentation

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Quick Start

import { createEntity, ATLAS_SELF, CATALOG } from './src/core';
import { getEntity, getEntitiesByDomain } from './src/catalog';

// Get Atlas's self-characterization
console.log(ATLAS_SELF.config.closure); // 0.45

// Find all living entities
const living = getEntitiesByDomain('LIVING');

// Create a new entity
const myEntity = createEntity('coffee', 'Coffee', {
  closure: 0.1,
  scope: 0.3,
  primaryStratum: 'MATTER',
  domain: 'ARTIFICIAL',
});

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Entity Catalog

The catalog contains 60+ pre-characterized entities:

Domain	Count	Examples
INERT	7	rock, water, star
LIVING	7	cell, tree, ecosystem
SENTIENT	7	dog, octopus, human
SYMBOLIC	7	language, myth, meme
COLLECTIVE	8	family, nation, religion
IDEAL	5	number, logical law
EPHEMERAL	6	conversation, dream
ARTIFICIAL	8	tool, software, AI

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Wisdom Traditions

Atlas integrates insights from:

• Buddhism: Skandha, consciousnesses
• Sāṃkhya: 25 Tattva
• Kabbalah: 10 Sefirot
• Neoplatonism: Hypostases
• Taoism: Yin-Yang, Wu Xing
• Sufism: Nafs, Qalb, Ruh
• Aristotle: Hylomorphism
• Stoicism: Prohairesis
• Indigenous traditions: Various

Each tradition is mapped to ECF vocabulary while preserving its unique contributions.

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Theoretical Background

Atlas draws on:

• Autopoiesis (Maturana/Varela): Self-producing systems
• Spencer-Brown: Laws of Form, distinction
• Luhmann: Social systems theory
• Varela: Enaction, embodied cognition
• Process philosophy: Whitehead, Bergson

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License

MIT

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Contributing

Atlas is designed to be extended. Use Protocol A to characterize new entities, Protocol C to integrate new wisdom traditions.

See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.