SOHtahn

SOHtahn is a fictional term that appears in a limited set of speculative writings and online discussions. It is used to denote a hypothetical framework or construct considered in debates about artificial intelligence, cognitive architectures, and complex systems.

The origin of the name is unclear. Some authors treat SOHtahn as an acronym, while others present it as a stylized proper noun derived from a fictional character or place. The unusual capitalization (S, O, H capitalized with a lower-case t, a, h, n) is often noted in discussions, though there is no standardized spelling.

In the works that mention it, SOHtahn is described as a framework that combines self-organization with hierarchical structure, enabling emergent behaviors across multiple levels. Proponents use it as a thought experiment to illustrate how simple rules at a lower level could scale into complex dynamics, and to discuss challenges in AI alignment and governance.

Because SOHtahn lacks formal definition or formal scholarly treatment, it remains a niche concept confined to informal forums, speculative fiction, and some laboratory discussions about architectural principles. There is no consensus on its scope, validity, or practical applications.