the appearance of fine-tuning

Derek Parfit speaks of the appearance of fine tuning ' when he considers the fact that were there a slight difference in certain values of the many variables that exist in the universe , no life could exist within it . One example of these variables is the coupling constant of the strong force . Were this constant slightly lower , the binding of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of atoms could not take place , and no complex life forms could be formed . Another example is the estimate given by physicists that should the cosmological constant

have shifted its value up or down by one part in 10120 , the universe would on the one hand expand too quickly or on the other contract too rapidly for life to have had time to evolve (Guth , 1997 ,

. 284 , qtd in Collins , 2000

Several differences exist between the many-worlds and one-world theories . While the many worlds theory argues that different quantum choices and /or non-interacting quantum fluctuations ' during the early stages of the universe caused several different universes to split off from each other (Richards , 1997 , in the one-world model quantum events of this type have mainly been consigned to the creation of the numerous pockets of matter within the one universe . In addition , some many-world theories posit and oscillating universe that goes through several big bangs and crunches . In general , only one of these has been posited for the one-world theory

The many-worlds (multiverse ) theory describes the scenario that considers our present universe as one of an infinite number that co-evolved alongside it . These other countless universes contain all the possibilities that can exist (or , some believe , that can even be conceived . Because this universe contains , for example , uniform attributes regarding the laws of physics , each universe within the multiverse exists completely separate from each other . Therefore , while reason and design exist in a one-world theory , the many-world theory has no need for this explanation , since in that model all worlds do exist Akin to this is the fact that , while the one-world theory poses a need for Parfit 's explanation of fine-tuning , no such explanation is necessary within a many-world theory in which this universe had no choice but to exist , and in which a relatively small number of other universes that possess variables within the degrees necessary for life also exist

References

Collins , R (2002 . The argument from design and the many-worlds hypothesis ' Philosophy of Religion : a Reader and Guide . W . L . Craig (Ed ) New Brunswick : Rutgers UP

Guth , A (1997 . The Inflationary Universe : The Quest for a New Theory of Cosmic Origins . New York , Helix Books

Richards , J . W . Many worlds hypothesis : a naturalistic alternative to design ' Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith . 49 : 218-227

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Fine tuning...