Chaos Without Infinity: A Falsifiable Bridge from Wolfram to Computational Finitism

We acknowledge that in our paper (Ramos 2026b), the resolution of the chaos paradox draws on Wolfram's computational paradigm, but we extend it into a rigorously falsifiable physical framework. Where S. Wolfram(2002, 2020) demonstrated that discrete rules can generate complex behavior, we prove that finite alphabets enforce non-positive Lyapunov spectra, making true mathematical chaos topologically impossible. Using Kaprekar dynamics as a testbed, we derive a discrete sensitivity exponent for all digit lengths , showing that apparent chaos emerges from timescale separation in astronomically large but bounded state spaces. We present three falsifiable predictions that distinguish computational finitism from both continuum chaos theory and Wolfram's unfalsifiable paradigm: (1) finite predictability horizons scaling as , (2) asymptotic decay of effective Lyapunov exponents toward zero, and (3) recurrence signatures in quantized long-term simulations. Chaos is not a violation of finitism; it is finitism operating at the edge of computational irreducibility.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-05-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20478025
Primary Topic
Cellular Automata and Applications
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

Chaos Without Infinity: A Falsifiable Bridge from Wolfram to Computational Finitism

Nestor Ramos
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Cellular Automata and Applications
preprint

Chaos Without Infinity: A Falsifiable Bridge from Wolfram to Computational Finitism

Nestor Ramos
preprint en

Abstract

We acknowledge that in our paper (Ramos 2026b), the resolution of the chaos paradox draws on Wolfram's computational paradigm, but we extend it into a rigorously falsifiable physical framework. Where S. Wolfram(2002, 2020) demonstrated that discrete rules can generate complex behavior, we prove that finite alphabets enforce non-positive Lyapunov spectra, making true mathematical chaos topologically impossible. Using Kaprekar dynamics as a testbed, we derive a discrete sensitivity exponent for all digit lengths , showing that apparent chaos emerges from timescale separation in astronomically large but bounded state spaces. We present three falsifiable predictions that distinguish computational finitism from both continuum chaos theory and Wolfram's unfalsifiable paradigm: (1) finite predictability horizons scaling as , (2) asymptotic decay of effective Lyapunov exponents toward zero, and (3) recurrence signatures in quantized long-term simulations. Chaos is not a violation of finitism; it is finitism operating at the edge of computational irreducibility.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Cellular Automata and Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.