Throughout human history, individuals and societies have advanced when they upheld rigorous standards that develop and advance merit, competence, effort, skill, and capability. The construction of monuments, architectural knowledge, the development of engineering systems, and the advances in scientific knowledge all required precise alignment with universal laws of mathematics, geometry, and physics (Haklay & Gopher, 2020; Trigger, 1990).

For example, in the case of the Egyptian pyramids, irrespective of whether an individual was a pharaoh or a pauper, a one‑ton stone block weighed one ton, and the geometric and mechanical principles required to quarry, shape, transport, and position that stone were the same for all individuals (Edwards, 2003). Human achievement has always depended on accepting and applying the universal laws of physics, mathematics, and merit (Klemm & Klemm, 2001; Ulanowicz, 1999).

In aviation, aircraft are built and fly only when universal mathematical and engineering standards, aerodynamic principles, and the laws of physics are applied, rather than social machinations (Kumar et al., 2025; Wu et al., 2018).

Research also informs that the unity of universal knowledge reflects the fact that problem-solving dealing with physical realities that involve the laws of physics, gravity, energy, and the universality of mathematics requires objective adherence to these laws.

These universal truths form the shared foundation upon which a great deal of rigorous and robust merit-based inquiry is advanced. Two plus two equals four in all cultures. Wigner (1960) states that mathematics “forms the basis of our understanding of the physical world.”

Tegmark (2008) writes that “[t]he idea that our universe...goes back at least to the Pythagoreans.… [And] Galileo Galilei stated that the Universe is a grand book written in the language of mathematics.”

The same is true regarding quantifiable achievements in the sciences and medicine. Surgical procedures, for example, succeed or fail based on universal anatomical, biological, and physiological knowledge, along with applied universal technical precision and skill-based meritorious expert performance (Abbot et al., 2023; Ericsson, 2004; Reznick & MacRae, 2006).

Research dealing with meritocratic evaluation aligns with applied universal foundations. Meritocratic systems (those that evaluate individuals based solely on performance and evidence) tend to produce accurate, valid, robust, and reliable results, and associated quantifiable new ideas that advance individual and social potential (Andre, 2021; Goya‑Tocchetto et al., 2024; Son Hing et al., 2011).

Son Hing et al. (2011) amplify this further by noting that “prescriptive meritocracy reflects the belief that rewards should be allocated based on merit, defined in terms of ability and effort.” Research also demonstrates that when standards remain robust, rigorous, and merit-based, individuals and institutions are quantifiably able to identify excellence, cultivate expertise, and allocate tasks to those most capable of fulfilling merit-based positions.

However, when standards are diluted or lowered, self-evidently and logically, evaluative accuracy declines. Universal academic standards, skills, and knowledge progress when applied quantifiable evidence-based meritocratic criteria exist (Andre, 2021; Son Hing et al., 2011).

Research and historical, scientific, and empirical evidence converge on a single conclusion: Merit is the human capacity required to meet all universal laws through the application of skills, knowledge, meritorious competence, and the actions of perseverance and

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