With – in the real world – only one actual universe to go on, how do we determine what is “probable”?
Fine tuning
A conversation on a [post?]-Christian civilisation and the impact of the design inference on evidence
Peter Robinson’s Uncommon Knowledge brings three authors together, Tom Holland, Stephen Meyer and Douglas Murray: A key consideration: vs, this notorious poetic assertion: Of course, both of these reflect the rise of the skeptical mindset among the educated elites, the modern inferior good that stands in for the cardinal virtue, prudence. So, we cannot escape Read More…
At Evolution News: Salt of the Earth Regulates Habitability
Not surprisingly, researchers have pointed to another criterion that must be finely tuned in order for life to persist on Earth as it has throughout most of its history.
At Astronomy.com: The universe may be more unstable than you think
So, physics researchers have found more fine-tuning: yet another feature of our universe upon which our entire existence is contingent. When combined with the many other fine-tuned parameters of physics necessary for life to exist, we have growing reason to doubt that “luck” is the explanation.
At Evolution News: Your Intelligently Designed Body Is a System of Systems
Natural processes tend to destroy information-rich, functional systems over time. The body’s remarkable hierarchy of interdependent life-support systems stands as the most unnatural physical phenomenon in the universe.
At Reasons.org: Is the Universe the Way It Is Because It’s the Only Way It Could Be?
Often, arguments against intelligent design boil down to bad theology. Dr. Ross provides here a very brief connection between physical design parameters and a biblically-based theology.
Supernovae and Black Holes
“Black holes remind us of the delicate balance within the forces of nature.”
At Phys.org: Can cosmic inflation be ruled out?
“If the Cosmic Gravitational Background were detected, clearly this would rule out the entire cosmic inflation paradigm, which does not allow for its existence.”
At Evolution News: Fine-Timing as Evidence of Intelligence Design
“The narrow window for perfect solar eclipses leads us to consider the matter of timing as evidence of design. Where else are coincidences of timing discernable?”
From The New Atlantis: The Fine-Tuning Of Nature’s Laws – What Physics Tells Us About The Improbability Of Life
“Our universe’s ability to create and sustain life is rare indeed; a highly explainable but as yet unexplained fact. It could point the way to deeper physics, or beyond this universe, or even to principles beyond the ultimate laws of nature.”
From The New Atlantis: The Fine-Tuning of Nature’s Laws – What physics tells us about the improbability of life
“That the constants are all arranged in what is, mathematically speaking, the very improbable combination that makes our grand, complex, life-bearing universe possible is what physicists mean when they talk about the “fine-tuning” of the universe for life.”
At Evolution News: The Multiverse: From Epicurus to Comic Books and Beyond
A profound difference between appealing to the multiverse and appealing to God, is that the historical and personal evidence for God throughout human history is multilayered and pervasive, whereas the evidence for the multiverse remains firmly at zero.
Who is the Designer of ID?
Although fine-tuning may not constitute “proof” for the existence of God, can we assert that it is consistent with the concept of God as creator?
The Drake Equation and Extraterrestrial Life
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that truly habitable planets are likely to be exceedingly rare among the stars in our galaxy.”
At Mind Matters News: Is ours one of a few working universes among countless flops?
No. For one thing, Meyer says, even though the multiverse attempts to explain fine tuning, it actually ends up presupposing unexplained prior sources of fine tuning.