Twice in your article you say that the universe has evolved in the direction of increasing complexity and self-organization. So why do you exclude evolution from this, saying that it “does not proceed in any particular direction”? Surely, like the universe, it also proceeds in a definite direction of increasing complexity and organization. Whether this could be achieved by natural selection is an interesting question.

I think there are even further levels to your hierarchy, although some of them might not be thought of as scientific. The universe might have a purpose in itself. Teleology may be a 'heresy', but it is a heresy only according to the theology of a very ignorant church.