Finite gravitational information resolution as a hypothesis for apparent dark matter phenomenology

Dark matter accounts successfully for a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological observations, but its physical nature remains unknown. This Perspective develops Finite Gravitational Information Resolution (FGIR) as an alternative physical hypothesis. FGIR proposes that gravitational interactions possess an intrinsic finite capacity to discriminate among physically distinct states. The fundamental statement is categorical rather than an instrumental detection limit. A state is classified as gravitationally resolved or unresolved by an unknown covariant or relational criterion acting on a multidimensional physical state description. To connect that hypothesis to gravitation without identifying information with energy, this Perspective introduces a restricted illustrative minimal phenomenological scenario (MPS). When an unresolved state forms an effective contribution, the formation state is represented by a pressureless source whose density is supplied by a phenomenological formation map and whose initial four velocity is inherited from a physically specified normalized timelike conventional-source congruence associated with the classified formation process. After formation, separate conservation closes the source evolution as pressureless geodesic flow. The construction is deliberately limited. Its local post formation dynamics are the same as those of pressureless dust, and its distinct content lies only in restrictions on admissible formation states. At galaxy scales, the published Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) radial acceleration relation (RAR) remains an empirical target rather than a prediction. A complete theory must derive the discrimination criterion and formation law and must reproduce galaxy dynamics, lensing, cluster behavior, precision gravity, and cosmology with the same physical construction.