Concepts are connected by relationships drawn from Pask's Conversation Theory. Start here if you're new.
Why these terms? The relationships between concepts use vocabulary from
Gordon Pask's Conversation Theory. Pask — who studied under Ashby — developed the idea of
entailment meshes: networks showing how concepts necessarily lead to other concepts.
We use his terminology so the same vocabulary works across all thinkers on this platform.
Read each relationship as a sentence: "Concept A [RELATIONSHIP] Concept B"
ENTAILS Logical Implication
If A is true, then B necessarily follows. You cannot have A without B.
A → ENTAILS → B = "If A, then necessarily B"
Distinction ENTAILS Indication — If you draw a distinction, you necessarily create an indication. The two acts are inseparable.
DERIVES_FROM Prerequisite / Dependency
To understand A, you must first understand B. B is a prerequisite for A.
A → DERIVES_FROM → B = "To understand A, you need B first"
Primary Algebra DERIVES_FROM Primary Arithmetic — To understand the algebra with variables, you must first understand the arithmetic of constants.
GENERALIZES Abstracts / Extends
A is a more abstract, general, or developed form of B. A takes B to a higher level.
A → GENERALIZES → B = "A is a more abstract form of B"
Calculus of Indications GENERALIZES Primary Arithmetic — The complete calculus encompasses both the arithmetic (constants) and the algebra (variables).
PARTICULARIZES Instance / Specific Case
A is a concrete example or specific instance of B. A makes B tangible.
A → PARTICULARIZES → B = "A is a specific instance of B"
Oscillation PARTICULARIZES Imaginary Value — Oscillation is one specific manifestation of the imaginary values that arise from self-reference.
CONSTRAINS Limits / Bounds
A places limits on B. A defines the boundaries within which B operates.
A → CONSTRAINS → B = "A limits what B can achieve"
Depth CONSTRAINS Simplification — The nesting level governs how simplification proceeds and how many steps are required.
ENABLES Makes Possible
A creates the conditions for B to exist. Without A, B wouldn't be possible.
A → ENABLES → B = "A makes B possible"
Void ENABLES Distinction — The void is the generative ground from which all distinction emerges.
CONTRASTS Differs From
A and B are different in important ways. Understanding the contrast illuminates both.
A ↔ CONTRASTS ↔ B = "A and B differ in important ways" (bidirectional)
Transparency CONTRASTS Opacity — Transparent spaces transmit oscillation; opaque spaces block it. Both govern how dynamic behaviour propagates.
ANALOGOUS_TO Structural Similarity
A and B share structural or functional similarities, often across different domains.
A ↔ ANALOGOUS_TO ↔ B = "A works like B" (bidirectional)
Law of Calling ANALOGOUS_TO Law of Crossing — Both govern mark combinations but in complementary ways: calling is idempotency at the same depth, crossing is involution across depths.
REQUIRES Necessity
A needs B to function or be meaningful. B is essential to A's existence.
A → REQUIRES → B = "A needs B to function"
Distinction REQUIRES Motive — There can be no distinction without motive, and no motive unless contents differ in value.
EXTENDS Builds Upon
A builds on and broadens B, taking it beyond its original scope.
A → EXTENDS → B = "A builds on and broadens B"
Primary Algebra EXTENDS Primary Arithmetic — The algebra builds on the arithmetic by introducing variables, taking constants to the general case.
ILLUSTRATES Concrete Example
A is a concrete example or illustration of B's principles.
A → ILLUSTRATES → B = "A is a concrete example of B"
Memory (Bistable) ILLUSTRATES Re-entry — The flip-flop circuit is a concrete physical illustration of re-entrant self-referential form.
CORRESPONDS Cross-Thinker Parallel
A and B develop in parallel or have structural correspondence across different thinkers.
A ↔ CORRESPONDS ↔ B = "A parallels B"
Re-entry CORRESPONDS Observer — The first distinction, the mark, and the observer are not only interchangeable but in the form identical.
Tip: Follow DERIVES_FROM chains to find prerequisites. Follow ENTAILS to see what a concept necessarily implies. Follow ENABLES to see what makes each concept possible. Only CONTRASTS, ANALOGOUS_TO, and CORRESPONDS are bidirectional — all others are directional.