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 | 129 |
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
anthropic selection anthropocentric argument atoms Barrow and Tipler baryonic Bayesian Bayesian paradigm Big Bang biological black hole Cambridge University Press causal complexity concept consider constants of nature cosmic entropy cosmology Darwinian defined Determinist Dirac discussion electromagnetic energy equilibrium evolutional field example existence explanation extraterrestrial fact formulation function fundamental galaxies gravitational entropy Hawking Heisenberg paradigm human hypothesis inflationary initial conditions intelligent interpretation knowledge logic many-universes mass mathematical matter means mechanics metaphysical molecular molecules nuclear nuclei nucleon observational results Ockham organisms parameters particles philosophical photons physical Planck planet possible postulate prediction present primordial nucleosynthesis problem properties quantum quantum mechanics quasars question redshift Redshifts and Controversies relation scientific selection effect self-organization sequence SETI space-time stars steady-state theory strong anthropic principle structure symmetry teleological temperature theoretical theory thermal thermodynamics timescale tion Tipler understanding weak anthropic principle