Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe

Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe PDF Author: David Sloan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108484549
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 571

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Book Description
An overview of fine-tuning arguments in physics, for students and researchers in physics and philosophy.

Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe

Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe PDF Author: David Sloan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108484549
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 571

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Book Description
An overview of fine-tuning arguments in physics, for students and researchers in physics and philosophy.

The Fallacy of Fine-Tuning

The Fallacy of Fine-Tuning PDF Author: Victor J. Stenger
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616144440
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
A number of authors have noted that if some physical parameters were slightly changed, the universe could no longer support life, as we know it. This implies that life depends sensitively on the physics of our universe. Does this "fine-tuning" of the universe suggest that a creator god intentionally calibrated the initial conditions of the universe such that life on earth and the evolution of humanity would eventually emerge? In his in-depth and highly accessible discussion of this fascinating and controversial topic, the author looks at the evidence and comes to the opposite conclusion. He finds that the observations of science and our naked senses not only show no evidence for God, they provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that God does not exist.

Cosmological Fine-Tuning Arguments

Cosmological Fine-Tuning Arguments PDF Author: Jason Waller
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351725467
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
If the physical constants, initial conditions, or laws of nature in our universe had been even slightly different, then the evolution of life would have been impossible. This observation has led many philosophers and scientists to ask the natural next question: why is our universe so "fine-tuned" for life? The debates around this question are wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary, complicated, technical, and (at times) heated. This study is a comprehensive investigation of these debates and the many metaphysical and epistemological questions raised by cosmological fine-tuning. Waller’s study reaches two significant and controversial conclusions. First, he concludes that the criticisms directed at the "multiverse hypothesis" by theists and at the "theistic hypothesis" by naturalists are largely unsuccessful. Neither of these options can plausibly be excluded. Choosing between them seems to turn on primitive (and so hard to justify) metaphysical intuitions. Second, in order to break the philosophical deadlock, Waller moves the debate from the level of universes to the level of possible worlds. Arguing that possible worlds are also "fine-tuned" in an important and interesting sense, Waller concludes that the only plausible explanation for the fine-tuning of the actual world is to posit the existence of some kind of "God-like-thing."

The Wonder of the Universe

The Wonder of the Universe PDF Author: Karl W. Giberson
Publisher: ReadHowYouWant
ISBN: 9781459640375
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 378

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Book Description
Karl Giberson takes us on a fascinating guided tour of planets and protons, galaxies and gamma rays. For many, even those who do not embrace religious faith, it looks like the expression of a grand plan - a cosmic architecture capable of both supporting life such as ours, and of inspiring observers like us to seek out a creator.

Just Six Numbers

Just Six Numbers PDF Author: Martin Rees
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0786723580
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
DivThe genesis of the universe elegantly explained in a simple theory based on just six numbers by one of the world's most renowned astrophysicists/div

Universe Or Multiverse?

Universe Or Multiverse? PDF Author: Bernard Carr
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521848411
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
Physicists argue from different perspectives for and against the idea of the existence of multiple universes.

Universes

Universes PDF Author: John Leslie
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 9780415139557
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
This volume is a comprehensive collection of critical essays on The Taming of the Shrew, and includes extensive discussions of the play's various printed versions and its theatrical productions. Aspinall has included only those essays that offer the most influential and controversial arguments surrounding the play. The issues discussed include gender, authority, female autonomy and unruliness, courtship and marriage, language and speech, and performance and theatricality.

Anthropic Bias

Anthropic Bias PDF Author: Nick Bostrom
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136711007
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Anthropic Bias explores how to reason when you suspect that your evidence is biased by "observation selection effects"--that is, evidence that has been filtered by the precondition that there be some suitably positioned observer to "have" the evidence. This conundrum--sometimes alluded to as "the anthropic principle," "self-locating belief," or "indexical information"--turns out to be a surprisingly perplexing and intellectually stimulating challenge, one abounding with important implications for many areas in science and philosophy. There are the philosophical thought experiments and paradoxes: the Doomsday Argument; Sleeping Beauty; the Presumptuous Philosopher; Adam & Eve; the Absent-Minded Driver; the Shooting Room. And there are the applications in contemporary science: cosmology ("How many universes are there?", "Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life?"); evolutionary theory ("How improbable was the evolution of intelligent life on our planet?"); the problem of time's arrow ("Can it be given a thermodynamic explanation?"); quantum physics ("How can the many-worlds theory be tested?"); game-theory problems with imperfect recall ("How to model them?"); even traffic analysis ("Why is the 'next lane' faster?"). Anthropic Bias argues that the same principles are at work across all these domains. And it offers a synthesis: a mathematically explicit theory of observation selection effects that attempts to meet scientific needs while steering clear of philosophical paradox.

A Fine-Tuned Universe

A Fine-Tuned Universe PDF Author: Alister E. McGrath
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Exploring a wide range of physical and biological phenomena and drawing on the latest research in biochemistry and evolutionary biology, McGrath draws out the implications of our new understanding of the natural world for traditional debates about the existence of God. --from publisher description.

Cosmological Fine-Tuning Arguments

Cosmological Fine-Tuning Arguments PDF Author: Jason Waller
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351725467
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 313

Get Book

Book Description
If the physical constants, initial conditions, or laws of nature in our universe had been even slightly different, then the evolution of life would have been impossible. This observation has led many philosophers and scientists to ask the natural next question: why is our universe so "fine-tuned" for life? The debates around this question are wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary, complicated, technical, and (at times) heated. This study is a comprehensive investigation of these debates and the many metaphysical and epistemological questions raised by cosmological fine-tuning. Waller’s study reaches two significant and controversial conclusions. First, he concludes that the criticisms directed at the "multiverse hypothesis" by theists and at the "theistic hypothesis" by naturalists are largely unsuccessful. Neither of these options can plausibly be excluded. Choosing between them seems to turn on primitive (and so hard to justify) metaphysical intuitions. Second, in order to break the philosophical deadlock, Waller moves the debate from the level of universes to the level of possible worlds. Arguing that possible worlds are also "fine-tuned" in an important and interesting sense, Waller concludes that the only plausible explanation for the fine-tuning of the actual world is to posit the existence of some kind of "God-like-thing."