Universality is a meta-theory arguing that ostensibly discrete systems are part of a larger complex system that extends across several scales (spatially and temporally), and emerges in patterns during criticality. Generally, Universality has been replaced as an expression by Self-Organized Criticality (see: Self-organization).
Universality has been defined by at least four criteria: (excerpt from: Ward, Mark. Beyond Chaos. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2001, p.77.) 1. The systems must be open and energy or information must be able to flow across their boundaries. 2. They must be made up of thousands, if not millions, of interacting units. Only when there are several scales available to work across does Universality become easy to spot. 3. The units should have the same sort of properties as each other. Between systems these units can be very different. 4. There must be a constant source of energy or information flowing into and out of the system driving it to a state of constantly shifting change. This energy flow 'tunes' the development of the system and gives it something to react to. In some cases this flow may be the output from another system displaying Universality.
Medieval history
In western history, the term universality refers to the medieval concept of an absolute, all-encompassing morality that justified a universal secular rule by one all-powerful Holy Roman Emperor, and also justified as universal the religious rule by one all-powerful all-encompassing (hence the term catholic) church. In the 17th century, the doctrine of universality gave way to the doctrine of raison d'état or national interest. Universality is comparable, but not equivalent, to the concept of the Mandate of Heaven in Chinese history.
From sitting at the center of the universe, we now find ourselves orbiting an average-sized sun, which is just one of millions of stars in our own Milky Waygalaxy.
For definitions and descriptions of the tricky terminology of the universe, this is where the strange stuff becomes a little less so.
From the ancient notion of a flat Earth to today's theories on the very shape of past and future history, ideals of the universe have evolved with the help of scientific discovery and the eternal human imagination.
The universe is expected to be destroyed by accident in the year 2016, when John Prescott presses a wrong button after a particularly heavy night of drinking.
His uniform is Obviously Teal, and the color scheme of the universe troop colonels is cyan, purple and orangite, a combination between orange and white.
The universe was originally a bowl of chili and mostly referred to as the Universum.
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