The Anthropic Principle: The Conditions for the Existence of Mankind in the UniverseF. Bertola, U. Curi The questions that were purely in the realms of philosophy are now beginning to be answered by science. The second Venice Conference on Cosmology and Philosophy explores the anthropic principle which states that the Universe has the conditions we observe because we are here. Out of all possible universes we can only experience the restricted class that permits observers. This realization has profound implications for cosmology, philosophy and theology; all of which are explored in this book by thirteen contributors who gathered to discuss and share their theories within the context of science. The result is a unique collection of papers of great value to professional astronomers and philosophers interested in the role of observers in the Universe. |
Contents
Anthropic principle and ancient science | 17 |
laws and environments | 27 |
The anthropic selection principle and the ultraDarwinian synthesis | 33 |
The growth of complexity in an expanding Universe | 67 |
From the anthropic principle to the subject principle | 91 |
a critical view | 101 |
The anthropic principle and the nonuniqueness of the Universe | 107 |
The entropic versus the anthropic principle on the selforganization | 117 |
Anthropic biology | 131 |
Metaphysical outlooks in physics and the anthropic principle | 143 |
Galaxy creation implication for the development of life | 151 |
Some theological reflections on the anthropic principle | 161 |
Anthropic arguments are they really explanations? | 171 |
Common terms and phrases
according actually allow anthropic principle appears application argument atoms Barrow Bayesian becomes called causal complexity concept concerned conclusion consider considerations constants corresponding cosmic cosmology course defined described discussion effect energy entropy evolution example existence explanation expressed fact field final forces function fundamental galaxies give given gravitational human hypothesis idea initial conditions intelligent interpretation kind knowledge known laws leading least less living logic mass mathematical matter means measure mechanics mind nature necessary needed nuclear object observers operator organisms origin paradigm particles particular philosophical physical physical laws possible prediction present Press priori probability problem properties quantum quantum mechanics question reason recent referred relation relative respect result scientific selection sense simple space stars strong structure temperature theory thought tion understanding universe weak