The Relational Hypothesis: Reconsidering Ontological Primacy in Light of Quantum Theory, Information, and Emergence

This paper examines whether relationality deserves consideration as a candidate for ontological primacy. Drawing upon developments in quantum theory, information theory, complexity science, and relational traditions in philosophy, it argues that relational structures perform significant explanatory work across multiple domains of inquiry. The paper does not propose a new physical theory. Rather, it advances a philosophical hypothesis: the persistent recurrence of relational explanations may justify treating relationality as a serious ontological candidate alongside matter, fields, information, and process. After defining key terms and reviewing relevant literature, the paper evaluates several arguments supporting the relational hypothesis and considers major objections, including the challenge that relationships appear to require relata. The conclusion remains deliberately modest. The paper does not establish that relationality is fundamental. It argues only that the recurrence of relational structures across otherwise disparate disciplines warrants further philosophical investigation.