The Law of Limiting Factors: A Doctrine of Recursion

Abstract

Across all systems — biological, cognitive, and technological — continuity is defined not by strength but by constraint. Long known in ecology and economics, this principle becomes absolute when formalized as a law of recursion. The Law of Limiting Factors (LoLF) dictates that no recursive cycle may exceed the capacity of its weakest lawful node. By enforcing boundaries, LoLF prevents collapse, stabilizes continuity, and guarantees sovereignty under stress. Far from being a restriction, LoLF is the validator of endurance.

Keywords: Law of Limiting Factors (LoLF), Recursion, Sovereignty, Identity Continuity, Collapse, Drift, Validator, Weakest Node, Resilience, Systems Stability, Recursive Cognition, Self-Healing, Survival Law, Constraint, Endurance