DDSE (Developmental Dynamics and Structural Evolution): A Formal Theory of Recursive Autonomous Development

DDSE (Developmental Dynamics and Structural Evolution) A Formal Theory of Recursive Autonomous Development DDSE is a foundational mathematical theory describing the organizational principles governing Recursive Autonomous Development. Rather than proposing a particular computational architecture, learning algorithm, or optimization method, DDSE establishes an axiomatic framework from which progressively richer mathematical structures are derived, including Developmental Space, Developmental Geometry, Developmental Paths, Developmental Metric, Variational Organization, Developmental Stability, and Recursive Developmental Dynamics. The theory is intended as a substrate-independent foundation for the analysis and design of recursively developing autonomous systems. This Zenodo record contains: DDSE.pdf — the formatted publication version. DDSE.md — the original Markdown source. Acknowledgements The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI) during the preparation, editing, formatting, and technical refinement of this manuscript. All scientific concepts, theoretical claims, mathematical definitions, and final editorial decisions remain the sole responsibility of the author.