David L Abel

Based on the sources provided, particularly the works of David L. Abel, the relationship between these concepts is defined by the “Cybernetic Cut”—the fundamental divide between the physical world of mass/energy (governed by Constraint and Chance) and the formal world of instructions and organization (governed by Choice Causation and Hierarchy).

The following Mermaid diagram illustrates this architecture, showing how Non-Ergodicity blocks chance from creating life, necessitating a higher order of Causality (Choice) to establish a control Hierarchy, within which Speciation eventually occurs.

graph TD
    subgraph "Realm of Physicality (The 'Near Side')"
        A[<b>Constraint</b><br>Physical Laws & Initial Conditions<br>Produces Order e.g., crystals] 
        B[<b>Chance</b><br>Randomness & Heat Agitation<br>Produces Chaos/Noise]
        
        A & B --> C{<b>Non-Ergodicity</b><br>Statistical Prohibitiveness}
        C --"Fail: Search space too vast<br>Probabilistic resources too low"--> D[Dead End: 'Tar' or Simple Self-Ordering]
    end

    subgraph "The Cybernetic Cut"
        E[<b>The Cybernetic Cut</b><br>The divide between<br>Physicality and Formalism]
    end

    subgraph "Realm of Formalism (The 'Far Side')"
        F[<b>Causality: Choice Contingency</b><br>Active Selection for Potential Function]
        
        F --"Traverses the Cut via<br>Configurable Switches"--> E
        E --> G[<b>Hierarchy of Control</b><br>Formalism > Physicality<br>Controls constrain the Constraints]
        
        G --"Generates Prescriptive Information<br>(Genotype/Phenotype)"--> H[<b>Life / Organization</b><br>Homeostatic Metabolism]
        
        H --"Selection OF Existing Fitness<br>(Natural Selection)"--> I[<b>Speciation</b><br>Diversification of Life]
    end

    C -.->|"Cannot Traverse"| E
    style E fill:#f96,stroke:#333,stroke-width:4px
    style C fill:#ff9999,stroke:#f00
    style I fill:#99ff99,stroke:#0f0

Explanation of the Diagram Elements

**1. Constraint (The Foundation of Necessity)**Constraints are the physical laws (like gravity or electromagnetism) and initial conditions that limit nature[1][2]. They produce self-ordering (like a crystal or a vortex), but they are blind to function and cannot produce organization[3][4]. Constraints are on the “near side” of the Cybernetic Cut; they force matter to behave in fixed, predictable ways[5].

**2. Non-Ergodicity (The Failure of Chance)**This represents the statistical impossibility of Chance finding a functional biological sequence. Because the “phase space” (all possible molecular combinations) is astronomically large and the universe’s resources (time and matter) are limited, the system is non-ergodic—it cannot explore all possibilities to stumble upon life[6][7]. This acts as a barrier, proving that Chance and Constraint alone cannot generate the Prescriptive Information required for life[8][9].

**3. Causality (Choice Contingency)**To overcome non-ergodicity and cross the Cybernetic Cut, a new type of causality is required: Choice Contingency (or Choice Causation)[5]. Unlike physical causes (which are forced by law), choice causality allows for the selection of specific options (like setting a switch to “on” or “off”) to achieve a goal[10]. This is the source of “Formalism,” which is abstract and non-physical[11][12].

**4. Hierarchy (Formalism > Physicality)**Life is established through a Control Hierarchy. Formal controls (Choice) govern physical constraints[13]. This is instantiated through “Configurable Switches”—physical devices (like logic gates in a cell) that are set by formal instructions[14]. This hierarchy establishes the principle that Formalism dictates the behavior of Physicality (F>P)[15].

**5. Speciation (Post-Origin Diversification)**Speciation appears at the very bottom of the creative process. It is the result of Natural Selection, which operates only after the hierarchy of life is already established[16][17]. Speciation explains the survival and diversification of existing varieties (Selection of existing fitness), but it cannot explain the origin of the system (Selection for potential fitness)[18][19].

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References

[1] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [2] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [3] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [4] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [5] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [6] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [7] Abel - The Three Fundamental Categories of Reality.pdf [8] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [9] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [10] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [11] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [12] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [13] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [14] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [15] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [16] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [17] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [18] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [19] Abel 2011 - The Genetic Selection Principle.pdf