O
Structured Possibility
The structured space of states, configurations, pathways or transformations that are possible under the system's present conditions. O is not what happens; it is what the structure makes possible.
← I·V·O Lens
Verify · I·V·O Lens Prompt v4.0 · canonical reference version
I·V·O Lens
A domain-independent lens for reconstructing how a system is structurally organized: what can occur, what relations are actually instantiated, and what is selected from a situated position.
Frozen v4.0 Release · 19 August 2026 · Ivo van der Wal. This readable web representation takes precedence over terminology in older prompts, articles, experiments or archived versions.
V
Instantiated Relation
A relation that is actually realized within the system: coupling, exchange, constraint, influence or interaction. V concerns what is connected or enacted, not merely what could be connected.
I
Situated Selectivity
The situated selection through which distinctions become consequential. I is position-dependent: what can be registered, retained, excluded or acted upon depends on where and how selection occurs.
Two readings · one structure
OVI and IVO
OVI is the generative reading: structured possibility gives rise to instantiated relations, from which situated selections become consequential.
IVO is the analytical reading: begin from a situated selection or observation and reconstruct the relations and possibility structure that make it intelligible.
These are not separate ontologies. They are complementary directions through the same three-part structure.
Public source
Canonical repository
The public GitHub repository is the versioned source for current definitions, canonical documents, research instruments and changes to the I·V·O Lens. The frozen v4.0 release is permanently archived under version DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22012366; its continuing all-versions concept DOI is 10.5281/zenodo.20189652. When terminology differs between older material and the current canonical source, use the current canonical source.
Open canonical GitHub repository ↗ Open archived v4.0 release ↗