WTF is this?
Cogito is the public face of 'The Framework' - a personal attempt to understand the intricacies of a single mind (my own). Through comprehensive interrogation and contradiction-checking I aim to uncover, piece by piece, a coherent structure of ideas that reflects not only what I believe, but who I am. The resulting structure is represented as a network of interdependent NODES. The project will not be perfect, but it will be honest. It is offered here not to convince nor convert, but in the hope that it may offer something of value to others embarking on a similar introspective journey.
Each NODE in the network represents a single, self-contained idea representing a precise belief or principle. There are three types of NODE:
- Claim: A statement of fact.
- Rule: A prescriptive rule or recommendation.
- Axiom: A foundational rule, unprovable but assumed true.
Where an idea has been identified as a necessary dependency of a NODE, but where that idea has not yet itself been interrogated and formalised, it is considered a GHOST NODE (which must itself eventually be formalised to preserve the coherence of the system). If, during later interrogation, a GHOST NODE is found to be invalid, all connected NODES within the Framework must be reconsidered.
- A latent idea is set down.
- This idea is then explored and challenged comprehensively with the use of an interrogative AI model trained to act as an inquisitive interlocutor tasked with isolating assumptions, identifying implicit dependencies, and exposing hidden contradictions through disciplined and recursive interrogation - a process of back-and-forth interaction between myself and AI interrogator designed to impose sustained logical pressure so that no claim survives by mere ambiguity or oversight.
- Once the idea has been adequately unpacked and explored, my interlocutor then proceeds to stress-test the idea by posing hypothetical edge cases, probing my responses for potential incongruity.
- If the idea survives this stress-testing, I then proceed to construct a brief written summary or argument justifying the claim or instruction. This combination of 'Statement' and 'Note' together constitute a NODE.
- With the help of the AI assistant, this NODE is then deconstructed into its component parts (i.e. all claims and assumptions contained within it). These components are then checked against the existing Framework for contradiction.
- The NODE is then integrated into the Framework: Where a component of the NODE matches a preexisting NODE a connection is established. Where a component of the NODE is new, it is connected as a GHOST NODE for future exploration.
- All NODES must be logically independent and internally coherent.
- Contradictions are not permitted; all conflicts - both within each NODE and between NODES - must be resolved.
- Each TERM must be used consistently throughout the Framework, and each must be interrogated with the same rigour as the NODES before being formally defined within the Glossary.
- No assumption may be accepted without interrogation.