The SUBSE (Substrate-Surge-Elegance) Paradigm is a prescriptive methodological framework for constructing valid theories of complex systems, grounded in the principles of emergence and endogeneity (rejecting reductionism and presupposition). This manifesto formalizes the inviolable Hard Core principles, adjustable Protective Belt auxiliary hypotheses, progress criteria, and fourfold validation test for SUBSE-based models. It explicitly disavows ontological claims, focusing solely on the norms of theory-building for complex systems—with structure emerging from an unstructured maximum-entropy reference state (Substrate) and order born of Potency-Form coupling in events (Surges). The paradigm unifies discrete, continuous, quantum, and other mathematical instantiations under a common methodological core, with progress defined by empirically confirmed novel predictions without ad hoc modifications. Version 1.00 (Frozen) – Hard Core principles formally frozen on 8th April 2026. Pronunciation: "Sub-Say" /sub-sey/. Evolution: ASE (Abyss) → SUBSE (Substrate).
Hongyu Zhang (2026) studied this question.