universel

Universel is a French adjective meaning universal, general, or applicable to all cases. It is used across disciplines to signal inclusivity, totality, or broad scope. Etymology traces the term to the Latin universalis, from universus “whole, entire,” which is linked to the idea of turning toward or comprising everything. The form is related to the English word universal.

In philosophy, universals (les universaux) are abstract properties or kinds that can be predicated of many particular things, such as redness or humanity. The study of universals concerns questions about whether such properties exist independently of concrete objects (realism) or are merely names for patterns of usage (nominalism). The topic has shaped long-standing debates about how language, thought, and reality relate.

In logic and mathematics, the term appears in technical uses. The universal quantifier (often denoted ∀) expresses that a statement holds for all elements of a specified domain. In set theory and related frameworks, the universal set would be the collection of all elements under consideration, though some systems avoid a literal universal set to prevent logical issues.

In design and linguistics, universal is used in specific technical senses. Universal design refers to creating products and environments usable by the broadest range of people, including those with disabilities. Linguistic universals are features observed across many languages, such as tendencies in word order or the existence of certain grammatical categories.

In religion and culture, universalism denotes beliefs or positions that claim applicability or salvation beyond particular groups. The term also appears in discussions of universal values, globalization, and universal history, often as a framework for comparing diverse traditions.