Toward a Living-Universe Framework: Integrating Cosmology, Complexity, Consciousness, and the Limits of Algorithmic Description

Author: Nobuyuki Otsubo (Independent Researcher / Natural Philosopher, Tokyo, Japan) This preprint proposes a living-universe framework: a conceptual architecture for understanding the universe as a historical, non-equilibrium process in which cosmic structure, life, and consciousness co-emerge. Drawing on cosmology, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, complexity science, and philosophy of mind, it interprets the universe as a multi-scale informational architecture (𝒜) populated by locally embedded modes (μ) that both sample and reshape this architecture over time. The framework has four aims. First, it synthesizes work on energy flow, self-organization, and distributed cognition into a unified view of life and mind as teleodynamic information processing. Second, it extends Zimmermann’s systems metaphysics of emergence by placing living and cognitive systems explicitly within a cosmological context. Third, it argues—drawing on results in incompleteness and undecidability—that no finitely specifiable, fully computable “theory of everything” can capture all physically and biologically relevant truths. Fourth, it proposes a schematic 𝒜–μ architecture in which local minds are modeled as embedded modes of a global informational structure, while remaining neutral on strong panpsychist claims. The paper closes by outlining methodological constraints and empirically tractable research directions for a scientifically responsible living-universe program. Preprint disclaimer: This is a concept paper / preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed. The content reflects the author’s current views and may be revised.Recommended citation: Please cite this work using the Zenodo DOI: doi:10.5281/zenodo.17945959. This work is licensed under CC BY 4.0.