Filtration Theory: A General Architecture of System Formation, Persistence, and Transformation — Framework Specification v1.0

Filtration Theory: A General Architecture of System Formation, Persistence, and Transformation, Framework Specification v1.0 presents a general systems framework for analysing how systems form, persist, regulate, transform, and fail under constraint. The specification defines a canonical generative architecture: Environment → Difference → Constituent Boundaries and Constraints → Encounter or Potential Interaction → Differential Interaction → Coupling → Consequence Generation and Transfer → Consequence Fate → Integration → Relative Stabilisation → Higher-Order Organisation → Emergent Higher-Order Boundary and Constraints → Higher-Order Environment. The framework distinguishes structural equivalence from physical and mechanistic equivalence and does not claim that materially different systems are identical. Its central concepts include filtration, consequence generation and transfer, consequence fate, integration, finite system-relative capacity, pressure, residue, feedback, path dependence, persistence, renewal, higher-order organisation, cross-level constraint, and transformation. The document functions as the authoritative specification for the Filtration Theory research programme. It establishes canonical terminology, claim levels, scientific safeguards, diagnostic procedures, mathematical placeholders, predictions, failure conditions, and rules for cross-domain transfer. It is intended to provide a stable reference from which explanatory essays, mathematical development, empirical studies, computational models, and later revisions can be derived. Filtration Theory is presented as a proposed conceptual and scientific framework rather than as an established physical law. Cross-domain claims concern scale-invariant functional architecture in the first instance, while domain-specific mechanisms and empirical predictions require independent validation.