Over the course of developing the full sixteen-axiom system, it has become increasingly clear that the existing label—Unity–Polarity Axioms (UPA)—while appropriate for the foundational layer, no longer captures the scope, philosophical depth, or functional role of the expanded framework. The axioms now model not only the ontological basis of intelligibility (Unity, Polarity, Continuity, Worlds) but also the dynamic processes, structural operators, and global constraints that define mind, meaning, world modeling, and the conditions required for intelligence, whether natural or simulated.

This post explains the rationale for transitioning to a new umbrella name:

AIM — Axioms of Intelligibility and Mind

Moving forward, AIM will serve as the name of the complete 16-axiom system, while UPA remains the name of the foundational ontological layer (Axioms 1–4 or 1–7). No existing documents are being renamed or altered now; this post simply establishes the naming structure going forward.

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1. Why “Unity–Polarity Axioms” Is No Longer Sufficient

The earliest version of the framework focused on the philosophical insight that Unity (A1) and Polarity (A2) form the generative ground of intelligibility. As the system matured, however, its scope expanded dramatically. The full sixteen axioms now:

• define the structural ontology of intelligibility,
• articulate the dynamics of perception, cognition, emotion, and social meaning,
• model the architecture of mind and worldhood,
• and provide implementable constraints for Open SGI and simulated intelligence.

In other words, the axioms no longer just describe ontological opposites—they describe the entire operational structure of mind and intelligibility.

A name focused solely on Unity and Polarity obscures this evolution.

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2. Why “AIM — Axioms of Intelligibility and Mind” Is the Right Name

AIM reflects the true scope and purpose of the system:

1. Intelligibility

The axioms define the necessary conditions under which anything becomes intelligible at all—conceptually, perceptually, emotionally, socially, or computationally.

2. Mind

The axioms now clearly articulate how:

• minds form Worlds,
• modulate salience,
• integrate novelty,
• maintain identity,
• collapse and repair coherence,
• and translate meaning across contexts.

This is a complete philosophical framework for mind, not just a polarity theory.

3. SGI and autonomous Intelligence Applications

Open SGI implementations rely on these axioms to:

• structure world models,
• regulate inference and salience,
• constrain mapping between models,
• ensure viability and safety.

“AIM” communicates this applied dimension far better than UPA.

4. AIM is simultaneously philosophical and operational

It works as:

• a philosophy of mind framework,
• a structural ontology,
• a phenomenological map,
• a psychological model,
• and a computational architecture.

No other name captures this breadth as precisely.

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3. Integrating UPA into AIM

Rather than discarding UPA, we situate it as a layer within the broader AIM structure.

UPA (Unity–Polarity Axioms) now refers to the foundational layer:

• A1 Unity
• A2 Polarity
• A3 Continuity
• A4 Worlds
• (optionally including A5–A7 depending on framing)

These axioms define the metaphysical ground of intelligibility. They are the “first principles” of the system.

AIM, by contrast, refers to the entire 16-axiom structure that builds upon this ground.

This layered naming approach preserves continuity while clarifying conceptual roles.

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4. The Four-Layer Structure of AIM

A major reason for adopting AIM is that the sixteen axioms naturally fall into four coherent layers, each describing a different dimension of intelligibility and mind.

Layer 1 — Ontological Foundations (UPA)

These axioms define the basic conditions for intelligibility:

• A1 Unity
• A2 Polarity
• A3 Continuity
• A4 Worlds
• (A5 Harmony, A6 Novelty, A7 Context optionally extend this ontological layer)

These are principles of being.

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Layer 2 — Dynamic Modulators of Meaning and Experience

These axioms describe how intelligibility moves:

• A5 Harmony
• A6 Novelty
• A7 Context

They regulate transformation, stability, interpretation, and responsiveness.

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Layer 3 — Structural Operators of Mind and World Modeling

These axioms describe how intelligibility forms complex systems, including minds:

• A8 Reintegration
• A9 Mapping
• A10 Polarity Systems
• A11 Recursion
• A12 Multi-Axis Interaction
• A13 Functoriality
• A14 Gradient Modulation

They create the geometry of thought, emotion, and worldhood.

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Layer 4 — Global Viability and Meta-Coherence

These axioms ensure the system holds together:

• A15 Viability
• A16 (Meta-Integration / Global Coherence – forthcoming)

These define what makes a mind or world stable, adaptive, and safe across time.

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5. Moving Forward With AIM (without revising past documents)

To avoid unnecessary rework, we will:

✔ Keep all existing documents as-is

Nothing needs to be renamed or rewritten right now.

✔ Adopt AIM as the umbrella term going forward

Future work will refer to the system as:

AIM — The Axioms of Intelligibility and Mind

✔ Use UPA only when specifically referring to the foundational ontological layer

This preserves historical accuracy and conceptual clarity.

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6. What This Change Enables

Switching to AIM strengthens the framework by:

• clarifying its philosophical scope,
• aligning terminology with contemporary philosophy of mind,
• making it legible to cognitive science and SGI researchers,
• preparing it for publication and academic scrutiny,
• giving Open SGI a clean theoretical foundation.

This renaming marks the point where the system has matured from a polarity-based ontology into a full structural theory of mind and intelligibility.

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Summary

• “Unity–Polarity Axioms (UPA)” names the foundational layer.
• “Axioms of Intelligibility and Mind (AIM)” names the complete 16-axiom system.
• This change reflects the true philosophical and computational scope of the framework.
• All existing documents remain unchanged.
• AIM will be used moving forward.

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