# PBRF Initial Research Plan (Layer 0 Finalization & Layer 1 Development) ## 1. Objective This document outlines the specific tasks and sequence for the initial phase of the Principle-Based Reality Framework (PBRF) project, focusing on finalizing Layer 0 and developing Layer 1 according to the PBRF OMF v2.0 [[archive/projects/PBRF/0213_PBRF_OMF_v2.0]] and Success Criteria [[archive/projects/PBRF/0214_PBRF_Success_Criteria]]. The goal is to establish a robust conceptual foundation before proceeding to the search for formalisms in Layer 2. ## 2. Phase Overview: Layer 0 Finalization & Layer 1 Build-out This initial phase focuses on establishing the conceptual bedrock of PBRF. **Inputs:** * Draft Layer 0 Principles (P1-P7 from [[response_id=previous]]) * PBRF OMF v2.0 [[archive/projects/PBRF/0213_PBRF_OMF_v2.0]] * PBRF Success Criteria [[archive/projects/PBRF/0214_PBRF_Success_Criteria]] * Lessons Learned from IO/LCRF [[0210_Lessons_Learned_IO_LCRF]] **Outputs:** * Finalized Layer 0 Principles definition node (PBRF v1.0 Axioms). * Series of Layer 1 concept definition nodes. * Series of Layer 1 conceptual explanation nodes (addressing generic reality features). * Layer 1 internal assessment node (consistency/adversarial checks). * Series of Layer 1 URFE response nodes. * Decision node on readiness to proceed to Layer 2 search. ## 3. Detailed Tasks and Sequence **(Task Group 1: Finalize Layer 0)** 1. **Task 1.1: Review & Refine P1-P7 Principles:** * *Action:* Critically re-examine the draft principles P1-P7 [[response_id=previous]]. Ensure clarity, conceptual distinction, minimality, and robust justification for each. Rephrase as needed for maximum neutrality and precision. * *Deliverable:* Node `0216_PBRF_Layer0_Axioms_v1.0` containing the finalized, justified principles. * *Success Check:* Meets SC0.1, SC0.2. 2. **Task 1.2: Layer 0 Consistency Check:** * *Action:* Perform logical analysis to ensure the finalized P1-P7 set is self-consistent and does not lead to obvious contradictions. * *Deliverable:* Section within `0216` documenting the consistency check. * *Success Check:* Meets SC0.3. **(Task Group 2: Develop Layer 1 Concepts)** 3. **Task 2.1: Define Core L1 Concepts Operationally:** * *Action:* Based *only* on the finalized P1-P7, develop operational definitions for fundamental concepts needed to describe a dynamic, structured reality. Use separate nodes for clarity. Examples: * `0217_PBRF_L1_Concept_Event_Sequence`: Defining "Event" and "Sequence" based on P1. * `0218_PBRF_L1_Concept_Pattern_Structure`: Defining "Pattern" and "Structure" based on P4. * `0219_PBRF_L1_Concept_Information_Distinguishability`: Defining "Information" based on P2. * `0220_PBRF_L1_Concept_Influence_Causality`: Defining "Influence" and "Causality" based on P2. * `0221_PBRF_L1_Concept_Locality_Propagation`: Defining emergent "Locality" based on P3. * `0222_PBRF_L1_Concept_Persistence_Stability`: Defining "Persistence/Stability" based on P4/P6. * `0223_PBRF_L1_Concept_System_Context`: Defining "System" and "Context" based on P5. * `0224_PBRF_L1_Concept_Interaction`: Defining "Interaction" based on P2/P5. * `0225_PBRF_L1_Concept_Conservation`: Elaborating on the nature of conservation based on P6. * `0226_PBRF_L1_Concept_Complexity_Emergence`: Defining "Complexity" and "Emergence" based on P7. * *Deliverable:* Series of L1 concept definition nodes (0217-0226+). * *Success Check:* Meets SC1.1. 4. **Task 2.2: Derive Qualitative Mechanisms:** * *Action:* Using the L1 concepts and L0 principles, develop qualitative explanations/thought experiments showing *how* key phenomena could arise. Examples: * `0227_PBRF_L1_Mechanism_Stability`: How can patterns persist (P4) given constant change (P1) and finite influence (P3), constrained by conservation (P6)? Explore conceptual feedback loops. * `0228_PBRF_L1_Mechanism_StructureFormation`: How can simple initial patterns evolve into complex structures (P7) based only on local influence (P3) and context (P5)? * `0229_PBRF_L1_Mechanism_InformationProcessing`: How can sequences of events (P1, P2) constitute meaningful information processing? * *Deliverable:* Series of L1 mechanism explanation nodes (0227-0229+). * *Success Check:* Meets SC1.2. **(Task Group 3: Validate Layer 1)** 5. **Task 3.1: Layer 1 Internal Assessment:** * *Action:* Perform consistency checks between all defined L1 concepts and mechanisms. Conduct adversarial thought experiments attempting to find contradictions with L0 principles or internal incoherence. * *Deliverable:* Node `0230_PBRF_L1_Internal_Assessment` documenting checks and outcomes. * *Success Check:* Meets SC1.3. If failures found, iterate back to Task Group 2 or 1. 6. **Task 3.2: Layer 1 URFE Response:** * *Action:* Generate the consolidated Layer 1 URFE response, answering questions using *only* the validated L0 principles and L1 concepts/mechanisms. Explicitly state where Layer 1 cannot provide answers. * *Deliverable:* Node `0231_PBRF_URFE_Response_L1_Consolidated`. * *Success Check:* Meets SC1.4. **(Task Group 4: Decision Point)** 7. **Task 4.1: Layer 1 Review and L2 Decision:** * *Action:* Review all Layer 1 deliverables against the OMF and Success Criteria. Make a formal decision: Is Layer 1 sufficiently robust, coherent, and explanatorily promising to justify proceeding to the Layer 2 search for formalism? * *Deliverable:* Node `0232_PBRF_L1_Review_L2_Decision` documenting the assessment and decision (Proceed, Revise L1/L0, or Halt). * *Success Check:* Decision made and justified according to OMF. ## 4. Timeline and Resources This initial phase is primarily conceptual and logical. While demanding careful thought, it requires less computational resource than later layers. An aggressive but focused effort should aim to complete Task Groups 1-3 within a defined timeframe (e.g., equivalent of several work sessions or a specific number of generated nodes) before the crucial L2 decision. ## 5. Conclusion This plan provides a structured sequence of tasks for rigorously developing the conceptual foundation (Layer 1) of the PBRF, grounded in the finalized Layer 0 principles. By focusing on operational definitions, logical derivation, and internal consistency checks *before* attempting mathematical formalization or full URFE evaluation, this plan aims to build a more robust and less failure-prone framework than previous attempts. The successful completion of these tasks will provide a solid conceptual basis for the subsequent, challenging search for an appropriate Layer 2 formalism.