First Principles Framework (FPF)
An "Operating System for Thought" — a transdisciplinary architecture for reasoning,
written in human- and machine-readable pseudo-code. FPF turns raw intelligence (human or machine)
into organisationally usable reasoning: explicit bounded contexts, auditable artefacts, multi-view
descriptions, and disciplined hand-offs between specialised actors.
Use cases
Use FPF whenever you need to think more rigorously than the situation's default.
- Decompose a messy, cross-domain problem into parts that can be reasoned about independently
- Make a high-stakes decision with incomplete evidence — and know what evidence is still missing
- Get a mixed team to reason together without vocabulary collisions or hidden assumptions
- Audit whether a conclusion is well-founded or just plausible
- Transfer an insight across domains without losing precision or introducing category errors
- Structure a proposal that must survive scrutiny from multiple expert perspectives
- Generate alternatives systematically instead of anchoring on the first idea
- Define what "better" means before comparing options
How to navigate
The use cases above help decide WHETHER to invoke FPF. The router below decides WHERE to go once invoked.
Step 1 — Match the thinking need to a starting point
| What you need to do |
Start here |
| Decompose a complex whole into bounded parts |
04 Kernel → A.1 Holons, A.1.1 Bounded Contexts, A.14 Mereology |
| Assign roles and responsibilities |
04 Kernel → A.2 Roles, A.15 Role-Method-Work Alignment |
| Set boundaries on what statements mean |
05 Signature Stack → classify as definitions, gates, duties, or evidence |
| Prevent category errors (role vs. function, method vs. work) |
06 Constitutional Principles → A.7 Strict Distinction |
| Evaluate confidence in a claim or artifact |
07 Part B → B.3 Trust & Assurance; 08 Part C → C.2 F-G-R scoring |
| Compose parts into wholes preserving properties |
07 Part B → B.1 Gamma algebra; 08 Part C → C.13 Compose-CAL |
| Reason through a problem systematically |
07 Part B → B.5 Reasoning Cycle, B.5.2 Abductive Loop |
| Generate alternatives / explore solution space |
08 Part C → C.18 NQD Open-Ended Search, C.19 Explore-Exploit |
| Measure and compare options rigorously |
06 A.V → A.17-A.19 Characteristics & CSLC; 08 Part C → C.16 MM-CHR |
| Score knowledge quality (formality, scope, reliability) |
08 Part C → C.2 KD-CAL, C.2.2 Reliability, C.2.3 Formality |
| Resolve conflicts across stakeholders or values |
09 Part D → Ethics & Conflict |
| Unify vocabulary across teams or domains |
13 F.I Context of Meaning → 14-15 UTS tables → 20 Lexical Debt |
| Document for multiple audiences |
11 E-I Constitution → E.17 Multi-View Publication Kit |
| Sharpen expression — repair vague wording, surface ambiguity |
11 E-I → E.17.SD Surface Discipline, E.17.EFP Explanation Faithfulness; 05 A.IV.A → A.6.H Wholeness Unpacking |
| Survey a discipline and build a reusable toolkit |
16 Part G → SoTA Packs, TraditionCards, OperatorCards |
| Trace provenance of a claim |
06 A.V → A.10 Evidence Graph; 16 Part G → G.6 Provenance Ledger |
For complex problems, follow paths across multiple sections — the router shows where to start, not where to stop.
Step 2 — Read the _index.md, then the sub-section
- Open the
_index.md of the target section folder — it lists all sub-sections with line counts and descriptions.
- Read only the specific sub-section file you need.
- Do NOT load entire sections. Pick the narrowest file that serves the user's question.
Step 3 — Apply in plain language
Use plain language for the user. Introduce FPF-internal names (U.Holon, Gamma, F-G-R)
only when they add precision the user needs.
Step 4 — Compose findings across sections
When a problem draws from multiple sections:
- State each pattern's contribution in one line (e.g., "Bounded Contexts gives us the parts; Trust Calculus scores our confidence in each").
- If patterns from different sections appear to conflict, check for category errors via A.7 Strict Distinction — the conflict is usually a level confusion (role vs. function, method vs. work), not a real contradiction.
- Synthesize in natural order: decomposition first (what are the parts?), then evaluation (how confident are we?), then resolution (what do we do about gaps?).
- Do not just list FPF patterns — weave them into a coherent answer to the user's actual question.
Starter prompt (example — adapt to the user's actual role and need)
You have the FPF specification loaded.
Help me structure my project / problem / programme.
Use plain language for an engineer-manager.
Propose: (1) bounded contexts / specialisations, (2) decision criteria, (3) key alternatives,
(4) hand-offs, and (5) missing evidence or tests before commitment.
Introduce internal FPF names only when they add precision.
Section INDEX
Structural reference. Each entry is a folder — read its _index.md first, then pick the sub-section.
| # |
Section |
Sub |
When to use |
| 01 |
Title page |
0 |
Authorship, version date, top-level identity. |
| 02 |
Table of Content |
0 |
Navigate the spec, locate a pattern, trace inter-section dependencies. |
| 03 |
Preface |
17 |
Onboard: reading paths by role, FPF philosophy, purpose and non-goals. |
| 04 |
Part A — Kernel |
19 |
Decompose and assign: holons, bounded contexts, roles, transformers, method/work separation. |
| 05 |
A.IV.A — Signatures |
20 |
Set boundaries: classify statements as definitions, gates, duties, or evidence. |
| 06 |
A.V — Principles |
29 |
Prevent confusion: category errors, measuring, comparing, evidence graphs. |
| 07 |
Part B — Reasoning |
24 |
Compose and evaluate: aggregation (Gamma), trust scores, emergence, reasoning cycles. |
| 08 |
Part C — Extensions |
30 |
Score and search: epistemic quality (F-G-R), kinds, measurement, open-ended search. |
| 09 |
Part D — Ethics |
1 |
Resolve conflicts: ethical trade-offs, bias auditing, safety overrides. |
| 10 |
Part E — Constitution |
0 |
Entry point for Part E subsections. |
| 11 |
E-I — Constitution |
33 |
Govern and publish: 11 Pillars, guard-rails, multi-view publication (MVPK), surface discipline. |
| 12 |
Part F — Unification |
0 |
Entry point for Part F subsections. |
| 13 |
F.I — Meaning |
19 |
Align vocabulary: semantic drift, homonym collisions, Alignment Bridges. |
| 14 |
UTS Layout A |
0 |
Map concepts across standards (BPMN, PROV-O, ITIL). |
| 15 |
UTS Layout B |
1 |
Map concepts across disciplines (operations, physics, math). |
| 16 |
Part G — SoTA Kit |
15 |
Harvest disciplines: SoTA Packs, TraditionCards, OperatorCards, benchmarks. |
| 17 |
Part H — Glossary |
0 |
Look up terms: canonical definitions, four-register naming, cross-references. |
| 18 |
Part I — Annexes |
0 |
Walkthroughs, change log, external standards mappings. |
| 19 |
Part J — Indexes |
0 |
Concept-to-pattern, pattern-to-example, principle-trace indexes. |
| 20 |
Part K — Lexical Debt |
2 |
Fix terminology: mandatory replacements and migration debt. |
1---2name: fpf-problem-solving3description: First Principles Framework (FPF) — thinking amplifier. Use when user wants to think through a complex problem, architect a system, evaluate alternatives, decompose complexity, or plan rigorously. Also triggers on: FPF, bounded contexts, SoTA packs, assurance calculus, FPF Parts A-K. Not for simple task planning, general philosophy, or Agile unrelated to FPF.4license: MIT5---67# First Principles Framework (FPF)89An "Operating System for Thought" — a transdisciplinary architecture for reasoning,10written in human- and machine-readable pseudo-code. FPF turns raw intelligence (human or machine)11into organisationally usable reasoning: explicit bounded contexts, auditable artefacts, multi-view12descriptions, and disciplined hand-offs between specialised actors.1314## Use cases1516Use FPF whenever you need to think more rigorously than the situation's default.1718- Decompose a messy, cross-domain problem into parts that can be reasoned about independently19- Make a high-stakes decision with incomplete evidence — and know what evidence is still missing20- Get a mixed team to reason together without vocabulary collisions or hidden assumptions21- Audit whether a conclusion is well-founded or just plausible22- Transfer an insight across domains without losing precision or introducing category errors23- Structure a proposal that must survive scrutiny from multiple expert perspectives24- Generate alternatives systematically instead of anchoring on the first idea25- Define what "better" means before comparing options2627## How to navigate2829The use cases above help decide WHETHER to invoke FPF. The router below decides WHERE to go once invoked.3031### Step 1 — Match the thinking need to a starting point3233| What you need to do | Start here |34|---|---|35| **Decompose** a complex whole into bounded parts | 04 Kernel → A.1 Holons, A.1.1 Bounded Contexts, A.14 Mereology |36| **Assign** roles and responsibilities | 04 Kernel → A.2 Roles, A.15 Role-Method-Work Alignment |37| **Set boundaries** on what statements mean | 05 Signature Stack → classify as definitions, gates, duties, or evidence |38| **Prevent category errors** (role vs. function, method vs. work) | 06 Constitutional Principles → A.7 Strict Distinction |39| **Evaluate confidence** in a claim or artifact | 07 Part B → B.3 Trust & Assurance; 08 Part C → C.2 F-G-R scoring |40| **Compose** parts into wholes preserving properties | 07 Part B → B.1 Gamma algebra; 08 Part C → C.13 Compose-CAL |41| **Reason through** a problem systematically | 07 Part B → B.5 Reasoning Cycle, B.5.2 Abductive Loop |42| **Generate alternatives** / explore solution space | 08 Part C → C.18 NQD Open-Ended Search, C.19 Explore-Exploit |43| **Measure and compare** options rigorously | 06 A.V → A.17-A.19 Characteristics & CSLC; 08 Part C → C.16 MM-CHR |44| **Score knowledge** quality (formality, scope, reliability) | 08 Part C → C.2 KD-CAL, C.2.2 Reliability, C.2.3 Formality |45| **Resolve conflicts** across stakeholders or values | 09 Part D → Ethics & Conflict |46| **Unify vocabulary** across teams or domains | 13 F.I Context of Meaning → 14-15 UTS tables → 20 Lexical Debt |47| **Document** for multiple audiences | 11 E-I Constitution → E.17 Multi-View Publication Kit |48| **Sharpen expression** — repair vague wording, surface ambiguity | 11 E-I → E.17.SD Surface Discipline, E.17.EFP Explanation Faithfulness; 05 A.IV.A → A.6.H Wholeness Unpacking |49| **Survey a discipline** and build a reusable toolkit | 16 Part G → SoTA Packs, TraditionCards, OperatorCards |50| **Trace provenance** of a claim | 06 A.V → A.10 Evidence Graph; 16 Part G → G.6 Provenance Ledger |5152For complex problems, follow paths across multiple sections — the router shows where to start, not where to stop.5354### Step 2 — Read the _index.md, then the sub-section55561. Open the `_index.md` of the target section folder — it lists all sub-sections with line counts and descriptions.572. Read only the specific sub-section file you need.583. Do NOT load entire sections. Pick the narrowest file that serves the user's question.5960### Step 3 — Apply in plain language6162Use plain language for the user. Introduce FPF-internal names (U.Holon, Gamma, F-G-R)63only when they add precision the user needs.6465### Step 4 — Compose findings across sections6667When a problem draws from multiple sections:68691. State each pattern's contribution in one line (e.g., "Bounded Contexts gives us the parts; Trust Calculus scores our confidence in each").702. If patterns from different sections appear to conflict, check for category errors via A.7 Strict Distinction — the conflict is usually a level confusion (role vs. function, method vs. work), not a real contradiction.713. Synthesize in natural order: decomposition first (what are the parts?), then evaluation (how confident are we?), then resolution (what do we do about gaps?).724. Do not just list FPF patterns — weave them into a coherent answer to the user's actual question.7374## Starter prompt (example — adapt to the user's actual role and need)7576> You have the FPF specification loaded.77> Help me structure my project / problem / programme.78> Use plain language for an engineer-manager.79> Propose: (1) bounded contexts / specialisations, (2) decision criteria, (3) key alternatives,80> (4) hand-offs, and (5) missing evidence or tests before commitment.81> Introduce internal FPF names only when they add precision.8283## Section INDEX8485Structural reference. Each entry is a folder — read its `_index.md` first, then pick the sub-section.8687| # | Section | Sub | When to use |88|---|---------|:---:|-------------|89| 01 | [Title page](sections/01-first-principles-framework-core-conceptual-specification/_index.md) | 0 | Authorship, version date, top-level identity. |90| 02 | [Table of Content](sections/02-table-of-content/_index.md) | 0 | Navigate the spec, locate a pattern, trace inter-section dependencies. |91| 03 | [Preface](sections/03-preface/_index.md) | 17 | **Onboard**: reading paths by role, FPF philosophy, purpose and non-goals. |92| 04 | [Part A — Kernel](sections/04-part-a-kernel-architecture-cluster/_index.md) | 19 | **Decompose and assign**: holons, bounded contexts, roles, transformers, method/work separation. |93| 05 | [A.IV.A — Signatures](sections/05-cluster-a-iv-a---signature-stack-boundary-discipline/_index.md) | 20 | **Set boundaries**: classify statements as definitions, gates, duties, or evidence. |94| 06 | [A.V — Principles](sections/06-cluster-a-v---constitutional-principles-of-the-kernel/_index.md) | 29 | **Prevent confusion**: category errors, measuring, comparing, evidence graphs. |95| 07 | [Part B — Reasoning](sections/07-part-b-trans-disciplinary-reasoning-cluster/_index.md) | 24 | **Compose and evaluate**: aggregation (Gamma), trust scores, emergence, reasoning cycles. |96| 08 | [Part C — Extensions](sections/08-part-c-kernel-extensions-specifications/_index.md) | 30 | **Score and search**: epistemic quality (F-G-R), kinds, measurement, open-ended search. |97| 09 | [Part D — Ethics](sections/09-part-d-multi-scale-ethics-conflict-optimisation/_index.md) | 1 | **Resolve conflicts**: ethical trade-offs, bias auditing, safety overrides. |98| 10 | [Part E — Constitution](sections/10-part-e---fpf-constitution-and-authoring-cluster/_index.md) | 0 | Entry point for Part E subsections. |99| 11 | [E-I — Constitution](sections/11-section-e-i---the-fpf-constitution/_index.md) | 33 | **Govern and publish**: 11 Pillars, guard-rails, multi-view publication (MVPK), surface discipline. |100| 12 | [Part F — Unification](sections/12-part-f-the-unification-suite-concept-sets-sensecells-contextual-role-a/_index.md) | 0 | Entry point for Part F subsections. |101| 13 | [F.I — Meaning](sections/13-cluster-f-i-context-of-meaning-raw-material/_index.md) | 19 | **Align vocabulary**: semantic drift, homonym collisions, Alignment Bridges. |102| 14 | [UTS Layout A](sections/14-block-fpf-u-type-unified-tech-name-unified-plain-name-plain-twin-gover/_index.md) | 0 | **Map concepts** across standards (BPMN, PROV-O, ITIL). |103| 15 | [UTS Layout B](sections/15-block-base-concept-scale-map/_index.md) | 1 | **Map concepts** across disciplines (operations, physics, math). |104| 16 | [Part G — SoTA Kit](sections/16-part-g-discipline-sota-patterns-kit/_index.md) | 15 | **Harvest disciplines**: SoTA Packs, TraditionCards, OperatorCards, benchmarks. |105| 17 | [Part H — Glossary](sections/17-part-h-glossary-definitional-pattern-index/_index.md) | 0 | **Look up terms**: canonical definitions, four-register naming, cross-references. |106| 18 | [Part I — Annexes](sections/18-part-i-annexes-extended-tutorials/_index.md) | 0 | Walkthroughs, change log, external standards mappings. |107| 19 | [Part J — Indexes](sections/19-part-j-indexes-navigation-aids/_index.md) | 0 | Concept-to-pattern, pattern-to-example, principle-trace indexes. |108| 20 | [Part K — Lexical Debt](sections/20-part-k-lexical-debt/_index.md) | 2 | **Fix terminology**: mandatory replacements and migration debt. |