Absolute Limits

First-Order Absolute Limits

Explanation: These are limits for any Learner within this universe, no matter their intellectual capacity. These are fundamental limits that govern all relationships that obtain in this universe.

Type	Description	Examples
Logical Limits	Limits to what can be proven or known through formal reasoning	The liar paradox, barber paradox
Physical Limits	Limits to what can be observed or measured due to the laws of physics	The uncertainty principle, the speed of light, the no-cloning theorem
Mathematical Limits	Limits to what can be proven or calculated using mathematical methods	Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, detecting randomness?
Computational Limits	Limits to what can be computed or predicted by an algorithm	The Halting Problem, factoring large numbers, solving the traveling salesman problem
Phenomenological Limits	Limits on what can be known in experience.	Brain in a vat, solipsism

Second-Order Absolute Limits

Explanation: These are limits for any Learner within this universe, no matter their intellectual capacity. These are derivative of the Absolute Epistemic Limits in that they would not obtain in this universe if the absolute epistemic limits did not obtain. However, the absolute epistemic limits could still obtain without these. Learners may wish to engage in the activities represented by these limits, but their knowledge will always be limited due to interaction between these activities at the first-order absolute limits.

Type	Description	Examples
Retrodictive Limits	Limits to what can be known or understood about past events or cultures	The limits of historical knowledge, the bias of historical sources
Predictive Limits	Limits to how accurately we can predict future events or behaviors	The limits of prediction, chaos theory
Scientific Limits	Limits to what can be known or understood through scientific inquiry	The limits of scientific knowledge, the difficulty of studying complex phenomena
Technological Limits	Limits imposed by the technology used to measure or observe phenomena	The limits of resolution, signal-to-noise ratio
Communication Limits	Limits to what can be communicated or understood through symbolic representation	The limits of translation, the difficulty of expressing certain concepts in language