Unified Coherence Architecture (UCA): An Epistemic Stratification Framework for Observer–World Coupling

This paper introduces the Unified Coherence Architecture (UCA), a stratified epistemic framework designed to prevent category error when modeling observer–world coupling in foundational physics. Rather than proposing new fundamental constants, the UCA provides a structured admissibility architecture separating: Candidate world models (cosmological boundary hypotheses), Observer coherence dynamics, Semantic determinacy operators, and A formal method layer enforcing falsifiability. The framework reformulates ethical reciprocity as a dimensionless thermodynamic dissipation coefficient—Topological Friction (ηₑ)—interacting nonlinearly with a solvency threshold (C*). This interaction is modeled using a rational phase-barrier asymptote that produces explicitly testable divergence regimes. Importantly, proposed cosmological anchors (e.g., a 57.8 GHz stationary-phase resonance and a 4.2 T ignition threshold) are presented strictly as falsifiable hypotheses rather than derived universal invariants. Each anchor is accompanied by explicit rejection criteria grounded in empirical observation. The UCA contributes to foundations-of-physics discourse by: Maintaining strict dimensional hygiene, Separating abstraction layers to avoid metaphysical bleed, Embedding Popperian falsifiability at the architectural level, Providing a formal bridge between participatory realism and thermodynamic information theory. This work is positioned as a foundations framework for evaluating observer-dependent cosmological hypotheses under rigorous epistemic constraints.Keywords: #Foundations_of_Physics #Observer_World_Coupling #Participatory_Realism #Epistemic_Stratification #Information_Thermodynamics #Topological_Friction #Phase_Barrier_Dynamics #Nonlinear_Saturation_Models #Dimensionless_Order_Parameters #Falsifiability #Base_Derived_Reality_(BDR) #Virtual_Ego_Framework_(VEF) #Emergent_Toroidal_Universe_(ETU) #TruthCore #Semantic_Determinacy #Thermodynamic_Dissipation #Closed_Manifold_Systems #Phase_Transition_Modeling #Cognitive_Solvency_Threshold #Systems_Theoretic_Cosmology