In a world where no system is entirely closed, that is, isolated from its surroundings, blind chance cannot exist: there are interconnections that provide a complex, if sometimes extremely subtle, input into all events. The world-concept corresponding to this insight is the organismic universe suggested by Whitehead, rather than the mechanistic universe of classical physics, or the chance-interspersed universe (due to the nondynamic collapse of the wave-function) of (the classical Copenhagen interpretation of) quantum mechanics.

Evidence ranging from physical cosmology through the biological to the human and social sciences indicates that events and entities in this universe are dynamic: systems evolve in space and time. In an non-interlinked universe such evolution could be random; in an interlinked universe it must be nonrandom as well as universal. However, such evolution could still be periodic, fluctuating, or too complex to permit analysis in terms of overall direction. Yet that appears not to be the case: empirical evidence, again, from the entire gamut of natural and human sciences, indicates that, on the whole, open-system evolution is toward higher specific negentropy in the evolving open systems, achieved through greater structural and functional complexity and producing a higher throughput of free-energy flux density and more extensive interaction between systems and environments.

While on the cosmic scale an overall reversal of the noted evolutionary trend is possible (but not decided in the current state of cosmology), in the present cosmic epoch, and here on Earth, system evolution is generally in the above-noted direction. This observation allows, but does not require, interpretation in terms of purpose. The latter is an anthropomorphic term, not necessarily applicable to the non-human realms of nature, though it may be applicable to whatever intelligence may have brought nature (i.e., the cosmos in its totality) into being. But speculation on that possibility exceeds the scope of scientific discourse.

The derivation of assurance for human action, values, and goals from the evolutionary trend requires in-depth discussion. It is clearly needed, in view of the current disorientation in human affairs, and the lack of agreement on the discernible historical process.