Closure of Self-Determining System Based on Causal and Constitutive Relations

2026-06-18

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenges of external interference and circular causality that arise when defining system boundaries in traditional causal frameworks. To overcome these limitations, the paper proposes a novel boundary definition that integrates causal and constitutive relations. By requiring that constitutive relations involve at least two independent variables, the approach constructs a causal-constitutive loop that guarantees endogenous causation, thereby enabling self-determination. This framework not only circumvents the pitfalls of supervenience-based reductionism but also reveals an irreducible dual-process structure inherent in self-determining systems. The resulting theoretical foundation offers a principled basis for the formal modeling of complex systems.

Abstract

A self-determining system is defined as one in which causes originating within the system influence the system itself. This definition raises the question of how to specify system boundaries. Although the concept of "closure" is commonly used for this purpose, defining boundaries solely in terms of causal relations introduce challenges, such as how to handle external causes and circular causality. To address this issue, we introduce two types of asymmetric relations: causal and constitutive. We propose that system boundaries can be defined as closures of loops formed by these relations, referred to as causal-constitutive loops. By constraining constitutive relations, the resulting system necessarily includes internal causes and thereby satisfies self-determination. Furthermore, to prevent reduction to supervenience, constitutive relations must involve at least two independent variables. This minimal requirement leads to two interdependent loops, which implies a dual-process organization.

Problem

• self-determining system
• system boundaries
• closure
• causal relations
• constitutive relations

Innovation

• self-determination
• causal-constitutive loops
• system closure
• constitutive relations
• dual-process organization