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'''Universality''' is the quality ascribed to in existence throughout the universe. In philosophy, '''universalism''' is a doctrine or school in which it is claimed that universal facts can be discovered and which is understood then as being in opposition to [[relativism]]. When used in the context of ethics, the meaning of ''universal'' refers to that which is true for "all similarly situated individuals". [http://www.philosophypages.com/dy/u.htm]  [[Rights]], for example in [[natural rights]], or in the 1789 [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]], for those heavily influenced by the philosophy of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] and its conception of a [[human nature]], could be considered as universal. The 1948 [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] is inspired by such principles.

 

'''Universality''' is the quality ascribed to in existence throughout the universe. In philosophy, '''universalism''' is a doctrine or school in which it is claimed that universal facts can be discovered and which is understood then as being in opposition to [[relativism]]. When used in the context of ethics, the meaning of ''universal'' refers to that which is true for "all similarly situated individuals". [https://www.philosophypages.com/dy/u.htm]  [[Rights]], for example in [[natural rights]], or in the 1789 [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]], for those heavily influenced by the philosophy of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] and its conception of a [[human nature]], could be considered as universal. The 1948 [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] is inspired by such principles.

In logic, or the consideration of valid arguments, a [[proposition]] is said to have universality if it can be conceived as being true in all possible contexts without creating a [[contradiction]]. Some philosophers have referred to such propositions as [[universalizability|universalizable]]. [[Truth]] is considered to be universal if it is valid in all times and places. In this case, it is seen as [[eternal]] or as [[absolute]]. The [[relativism|relativist conception]] denies the existence of some or all universal truths, particularl ethical ones (through [[moral relativism]]). [[Mathematics]] is a field in which those truths discovered, in relation to the field of mathematics, are typically considerered of universal scope. Usage of the word ''truth'' has various domains of application, relativism does not necessarily apply to all of them.

In logic, or the consideration of valid arguments, a [[proposition]] is said to have universality if it can be conceived as being true in all possible contexts without creating a [[contradiction]]. Some philosophers have referred to such propositions as [[universalizability|universalizable]]. [[Truth]] is considered to be universal if it is valid in all times and places. In this case, it is seen as [[eternal]] or as [[absolute]]. The [[relativism|relativist conception]] denies the existence of some or all universal truths, particularl ethical ones (through [[moral relativism]]). [[Mathematics]] is a field in which those truths discovered, in relation to the field of mathematics, are typically considerered of universal scope. Usage of the word ''truth'' has various domains of application, relativism does not necessarily apply to all of them.

 

== Universal propositions ==

== Universal propositions ==

A '''universal proposition''' is one that affirms a [[property (philosophy)|property]] of all the members of a [[set]].  For instance, the proposition that all [[dog]]s are [[mortal]] and the proposition that all [[cow]]s can fly are universal propositions, the former (assumedly) true and the latter false. A universal proposition is logically equivalent to the negation of an [[existential proposition]].  Thus, claiming that ''all cows can fly'' is equivalent to denying that ''there is a cow that cannot fly''.

A '''universal proposition''' is one that affirms a [[property (philosophy)|property]] of all the members of a [[set]].  For instance, the proposition that all [[dog]]s are [[mortal]] and the proposition that all [[cow]]s can fly are universal propositions, the former (assumedly) true and the latter false. A universal proposition is logically equivalent to the negation of an [[existential proposition]].  Thus, claiming that ''all cows can fly'' is equivalent to denying that ''there is a cow that cannot fly''.

It may be noted, along the lines of [[David Hume|Humean]] causal [[scepticism]], that the only universal propositions that must be true are those that exist [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]], drawn from definitions (i.e. "All dogs are mammals").  Universal propositions that are drawn [[a posteriori]], from one's experience of the world (i.e. "All dogs are born with four legs"), can never be confirmed as certainly true, simply supported as likely to be true give the evidence available, making such propositions [[falsifiable]].

It may be noted, along the lines of [[David Hume|Humean]] causal [[sceptic]]ism, that the only universal propositions that must be true are those that exist [[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]], drawn from definitions (i.e. "All dogs are mammals").  Universal propositions that are drawn [[a posteriori]], from one's experience of the world (i.e. "All dogs are born with four legs"), can never be confirmed as certainly true, simply supported as likely to be true give the evidence available, making such propositions [[falsifiable]].

== Universality in metaphysics ==

== Universality in metaphysics ==

*[[Universal]]

*[[Universal]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]