The Induction of Death: Metaphysical Field Collapse & the Expansion of Ontological Priority of Death Theory

Abstract

This paper advances the Ontological Priority of Death Theory by introducing and formalizing the concept of metaphysical field collapse as a precursor and potential catalyst to biological death, particularly in the context of collective fatal events. We propose that metaphysical death (τ_d) constitutes a system-wide loss of ontological coherence, which occurs prior to observable biological sequelae such as cardiac arrest or brain death. Two models—Simultaneity and Inductive Cascade—are contrasted to explain how death may propagate across individuals in high-fatality scenarios. Favoring the inductive model, we argue that metaphysical death spreads through ontological field interactions similar to magnetism or neural entrainment, leading to synchronized collapse in tightly coupled environments. A formalized vitality function and threshold equation are introduced to mathematically model this induction process. Expanding the ontological priority of death theory, we examine post-vital ontologies such as wood, bone, and keratinized skin, revealing that biological death does not necessarily imply metaphysical death, and vice versa. We further analyze uncoupling phenomena—where metaphysical and biological states diverge—and propose conditions under which metaphysical recovery may be possible, such as ontological distance, internal reassertion of coherence, or temporal decay. Special consideration is given to children, fetuses, and pregnant individuals, whose developmental and dual-field structures grant unique metaphysical resilience and stabilizing capacity in death-saturated environments. We develop the concept of metaphysical hygiene and propose architectural, ecological, and ontological field-lattice solutions to preserve coherence in vulnerable populations. Lastly, the paper explores the metaphysical implications of artificial entities, gametes, developmental stages, and ethical thresholds—culminating in a call for a new field of onto-physics: the formal study of non-material, life-derived coherence fields and their causal structures.