Dear Michel,
From Maudlin's subquestion 1) „Which mathematical concepts seem naturally suited to describe features of the physical world, and what does their suitability Imply about the physical world?"
I suggest three main candidates for the mathematical concept:
bit (it was the subject of the competition FQXi 2013);
exp(x) (You know the unique features of this function);
Euler's identity.
There are other useful functions, but less importance.
Suitable use of pervious can to describe features of the physical World.
What are your main candidates?
Best Regards,
Branko Zivlak