  Based on a number of experimentally verified physical observations, it is
argued that the standard principles of quantum mechanics should be applied to
the Universe as a whole. Thus, a paradigm is proposed in which the entire
Universe is represented by a pure state wavefunction contained in a
factorisable Hilbert space of enormous dimension, and where this statevector is
developed by successive applications of operators that correspond to unitary
rotations and Hermitian tests. Moreover, because by definition the Universe
contains everything, it is argued that these operators must be chosen
self-referentially; the overall dynamics of the system is envisaged to be
analogous to a gigantic, self-governing, quantum computation. The issue of how
the Universe could choose these operators without requiring or referring to a
fictitious external observer is addressed.
  The processes by which conventional physics might be recovered from this
fundamental, mathematical and global description of reality are particularly
investigated. Specifically, it is demonstrated that by considering the changing
properties, separabilities and factorisations of both the state and the
operators as the Universe proceeds though a sequence of discrete computations,
familiar notions such as classical distinguishability, particle physics, space,
time, special relativity and endo-physical experiments can all begin to emerge
from the proposed picture. A pregeometric vision of cosmology is therefore
discussed, with all of physics ultimately arising from the relationships
occurring between the elements of the underlying mathematical structure.
