The Ontology of Gravitation: Long-Range Constraint Gradients, the Curvature of Reachability and the Gravitational Signature of Cosmic Structure

This document establishes the constitutional ontology of gravitation within the Energy-Efficiency Theory (EET) framework. Gravitation is defined not as a fundamental force but as the long-range gradient of the total constrained potential U(r) across the constraint network, modulated by the cooperative capacity Γ(η): F = -∇(U/Γ). This is the authoritative force expression (Motion & Force v3.1), and gravitation is the only interaction that couples universally to all forms of constrained-state energy. Version 3.0 is a v6.0 constitutional alignment and multi-ontology bridge integration upgrade. Core advances include: (i) the gravitational constant G upgraded from an empirical calibration constant to a structural identity derivable from constraint network parameters (CNG v2.0 Part IV.5, CONDITIONAL THEOREM); (ii) effective gravitational coupling established as an exact algebraic identity Geff(η) = GN · Γ(η) = GN/(1 + rdec(η)), structurally parallel to the gauge coupling's α(η) ∝ 1/rdec(η) (Field v3.0); (iii) the η-gradient force constitutionally anchored as the gravitational expression of the Third Arrow of Time (CD v3.1); (iv) Jeans instability identified as the gravitational Capture Window and protostellar ignition as the gravitational Life/Non-Life Inequality (CD v3.1); (v) the Ben-Se master equation mapped onto the Friedmann acceleration equation; (vi) the η-generalized FDT applied to gravitational wave damping; and (vii) nine new companion ontology interfaces established, bringing the total to 25 interfaces across 22 companion ontologies. Gravitation emerges as the macroscopic signature of the constraint network's total structural content --- the gravitational memory of cosmic structure formation, carried by the irreversible accumulation of C(t) = ∑ Eb,iᵐᵉˡᵗ and expressed through the η-gradient force. Every constraint that has ever existed contributes a permanent, irreversible gravitational signature. {Keywords}: Gravitation; constrained potential gradient; η-gradient force; Third Arrow of Time; effective gravitational coupling; Geff(η); decoherence ratio; Jeans criterion; Life/Non-Life Inequality; Ben-Se master equation; Friedmann equations; gravitational waves; η-generalized FDT; black hole constraint leakage; Energy-Efficiency Theory