What is reality? This foundational inquiry explores whether reality is made of matter, mind, relations, or something beyond—all we ever know are our “maps,” never the full terrain. Drawing on the latest audit-based protocols, this paper clarifies leading theories and introduces the Gradient Reality Model (GRM), showing why every claim must be continually warranted, versioned, and tested against empirical challenge. Reality: always the terrain, never just the map.

Metaphysics is the study of reality’s deep structure—what truly exists and how we know it. This SE Press paper frames reality as the terrain and our models as maps: always partial, always in need of audit. The SE/ESAsi protocol requires every claim to be warrant-tagged, versioned, and open to challenge, ensuring our understanding stays honest, adaptive, and ready for the unknown.