TE_001

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A Bounded Epistemology of Artificial Relational Configuration

BY JASON HOBBS, AUGUST 2026 THEORETICAL EXTENSION TE-001 · VERSION 1.0

THEORETICAL EXTENSION TE-001

Bounded Realism of the Artificial

This Theoretical Extension establishes the epistemic scope of IA at artificial relational configuration. It argues that information architectures are real insofar as stabilised configurations of meaning persist across frame-scales and exert consequence, while explicitly refusing claims over natural, biological or metaphysical structure.

Contents at a glance

TE-001 asks three foundational questions: are information architectures real; can we have knowledge of them; and what does such knowledge reveal? It answers by locating IA within a bounded realism of the artificial.

The Extension argues that human-made artefacts and assemblages exhibit structured relational configurations through which meaning is composed, stabilised and made operative. These configurations are intelligible and may be modelled descriptively as they hold or compositionally through intentional making.

Its structural commitments address the artificial boundary, relational intelligibility, descriptive and compositional modelling, internal composition, transcendence, formation, Contrived Ontology, liminal contingency and normative responsibility.

Citing TE-001

The following citation is recommended for Version 1.0 of Theoretical Extension TE-001, until ISBN and DOI identifiers have been allocated.

Hobbs, J. (2026). A Bounded Epistemology of Artificial Relational Configuration. Theoretical Extension TE-001, Version 1.0. Johannesburg: IAD Framework. Available at: https://iadframework.com/Publications/TE_001/IAD_TE-001_Bounded_Epistemology_v1.0.pdf

This page is the permanent publication address for TE-001, Version 1.0, and its future releases.

Publication & version history

Theoretical Extensions are independently identified and versioned under Canon Governance. Subsequent versions may introduce corrections, clarifications, revised theoretical relations and additional supporting material.

CURRENT RELEASE
AUGUST 2026

Version 1.0 — Public release

Establishes the bounded epistemic scope within which IA may claim knowledge of artificial relational configuration and its consequences.

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