Final answer:
The highest level in the taxonomic classification of life is the domain, which supersedes the kingdom, making it the most general group.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highest level in the classification of life is the domain. This classification system, also known as the Linnaean system after its creator Carl Linnaeus, is hierarchical. Starting from the most general classification to the most specific, the order is: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Domains are divided into three large groups: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, which then branch into kingdoms, and so on down the hierarchy. It is important to note that there are more domains than kingdoms, as each domain can contain multiple kingdoms. Hence, the correct answer to the original question is 4) domain.