It appears that there are three fundamental laws of the universe:
#1 Differences Exist. Because of this law, we have objects (dishwashers, refried beans, spirit, etc.). Generally, these are 3D patterns. In communication/grammar, this law is the basis of "nouns". We separate one pattern from another through the use of "not" - a dishwasher is not refried beans, and refried beans is not spirit. This law is also the basis of the law of non-contradiction: "P" cannot equal "not P" (which is controversial -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_noncontradiction).
#2 Differences Are Dynamic. Because of this law, we have processes (flying, spinning, multiplying, etc.). This law adds the 4th dimension - time. In communication/grammar, this law is the basis of "verbs".
#3 Differences Are Relative. All patterns are deduced through comparison. As a result, this might be the fundamental law from which #1 and #2 are created. Boundaries are frequently fuzzy, so "not" may be less than "crisp". In communication/grammar, this law is the basis of "adjectives and adverbs".
Because of the third law, complete absence of any factor might be impossible. Plus, it facilitates concepts such as "oneness of spirit" and the "illusion of separateness". Using a scale for "notness", oneness would be at one end, and seemingly hard boundaries would be at the other (on/off, black/white, etc.).