The old view in physics that was replaced with the concept of a relative universe was the absolute space and time view, championed by Isaac Newton. This view held that:

* Absolute space existed independently of any matter or observers, providing a fixed background against which all motion could be measured.

* Absolute time flowed uniformly and independently of any events or observers, providing a universal clock that ticked at the same rate everywhere.

This absolute framework was challenged by Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity. Einstein demonstrated that:

* Space and time are not absolute but relative to the observer's frame of reference. This means that the measurements of space and time intervals will differ for observers in different frames of reference moving relative to each other.

* The speed of light is constant for all inertial observers, regardless of their relative motion.

This led to the concept of a relative universe, where:

* There is no absolute rest frame: All motion is relative, and there is no preferred frame of reference.

* Space and time are interconnected: They are not independent entities but form a unified spacetime continuum.

* The laws of physics are the same for all inertial observers: This is the principle of relativity, which states that the laws of physics are independent of the observer's motion.

This shift from an absolute to a relative universe revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity, paving the way for the development of general relativity and modern cosmology.