Indiscrete Scalar Ontology: A Universal Framework for Scale-Relative Combination and Emergence

We present Indiscrete Scalar Ontology (ISO), a theoretical framework proposing that physical reality consists of simultaneously coexisting scales, each constituting a fully valid ontological domain at its level of observation. ISO introduces three fundamental quantities — Scale (θ), Coupling (κ), and Resonance (ℛ) — unified by a conserved Combination Potential (Ω). The framework is founded on the principle that scale is intrinsic to systems, emerging as the sum of constituent scales rather than being imposed by external measurement. We derive a wave-based formulation yielding the ISO Fundamental Equation: Ω² = θ² + κ² + ℛ² + 2θκ cos φ_θκ + 2θℛ cos φ_θℛ + 2κℛ cos φ_κℛ. Conservation of Ω constrains the system to a sphere in (θ, κ, ℛ)-space, with known physical laws emerging as special cases at appropriate scale values. Applications are examined across physics (dark matter, quantum gravity, the measurement problem, cosmological constant), neuroscience (binding problem, consciousness, concept formation), and artificial intelligence (Synthetic Cognition). Working paper; peer review invited.