From Unity to Agency: The Non-Undercutting Principle (MetaEthics)

This paper develops the Ethics of Metaphysical Congruence by deriving the Non-Undercutting Principle (NUP) as the first operational constraint of the framework. Earlier papers established Reality and Awareness as non-optional metaphysical conditions, Unity as their foundational structural trait, and morality as congruence with Unity. The present paper argues that agency, as a localized expression within the Reality/Awareness field, must instantiate the same structural coherence. This yields an Agency Triad of Identity, Causality, and Teleology as minimal conditions of coherent action. From these deeper conditions arise practical Enabling Conditions of Agency, including Reality Contact, Cause and Effect, Shared Reference, and Mutual Respect. Because agents necessarily rely upon such conditions in acting at all, no agent may coherently act in ways that undercut them. This principle is developed as a structural constraint internal to agency rather than an externally imposed moral law. Illustrative applications and objections are considered.