A Universal Systems Law of Balance: Life, Evolution, and Defect Elimination

Abstract This paper presents a unified systems formulation explaining the emergence of biological life, evolution, and decision-making as lawful consequences of universal balance. Life is shown to be a non-equilibrium, information-preserving system arising under persistent energy imbalance. Evolution is formally defined as a defect-elimination process governed by constraint-driven feedback. A universal equation is derived that applies across physical, biological, cognitive, and social systems. A mathematical appendix provides formal definitions, operators, and proofs.