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Our “Fine Tuned” Universe A Modern “Creation Story”

Our “Fine Tuned” Universe A Modern “Creation Story”. Good theory – weak myth?. We find ourselves in a bewildering world. We want to make sense of what is around us and ask: What is the nature of the universe? What is our place in it and where did it and we come from? Why is it the way it is?

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Our “Fine Tuned” Universe A Modern “Creation Story”

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  1. Our “Fine Tuned” Universe A Modern “Creation Story” Good theory – weak myth?

  2. We find ourselves in a bewildering world. We want to make sense of what is around us and ask: What is the nature of the universe? What is our place in it and where did it and we come from? Why is it the way it is? … However, if we do discover a complete theory it should, in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God. Stephen Hawking A Brief History of Time (Chp11)

  3. Problem of Realism Do scientific theories “mirror” the world? – Do atoms exist or are they theoretic constructs? How do minds influence theories which in turn influence observation which in turn… Is the world “real” and knowable – Is our knowledge gained through scientific observation accurately describing an underlying reality? Naïve realism – scientific theories and their constructs “map” directly to an independently existing world Critical realism - scientific theories and their constructs will always operate as metaphors or incomplete models of an independently existing world

  4. A quick tour of cosmology – Newton to Now • Links to online astronomy lectures • Discovery of the Milky Way • Introduction to the Universe • Space and Time • Cosmology in the 21st Century

  5. Fine Tuning • Our universe appears to be very “unlikely” – its structure depends on a number of fundamental quantities or constants: • Mass/Charge ratios • Relative masses of fundamental particles • Coupling or relative strengths of the fundamental forces • Using the standard model (quark model) there are roughly 25 such “tuneable” constants

  6. Two “Dubious” Choices • Intelligent Design • Fine tuning only makes sense if you accept that only God could do this! It proves that the universe is designed. - Why is this a “bad choice”? • The Anthropic Principle • Life is critically dependent on fine tuning. Without out this we would not be here to have this discussion. Our presence is only possible because of fine tuning. – Why is this a “bad choice”?

  7. Alternatives… • The “multi-verse” – a close cousin to the many-worlds of QT – The big bang spawned a huge (maybe infinite?) number of universes – we just happen to be in one favourable to life • Inflationary universes may point to a deeper, underlying understanding of particle physics • ID “truncates” the discussion but if one starts from a theisitic position fine tuning is less problematic but no less interesting!

  8. Cosmologies – what are they? Provides the central MYTH* for a people • Judeo-Christian • Cosmos creation of a loving personal God. Quantum theory and cosmology are “gifts” – part of a joyful exploration of God’s Cosmos • God acts within creation and has been revealed historically • Structure emerges from action of God – can be understood in many complimentary ways • Morality, love, emotion etc may have a biochemical dimension but are also a reflection of the way in which Creatures stand in relation to God • Extends beyond material to also include “spirit”- all is part of a seamless whole • Scientific-Materialist • Universe (multi-verse) result of quantum fluctuation • Bottom-up structure: higher levels of organization (including consciousness) determined by laws of physics • Morality, love, emotion etc are biochemical • There are no inherently moral acts – the universe is indifferent to humanity • There is nothing necessary about humanity - we have arisen through chance and natural laws (including natural selection) • Structure emerges through chance and pre-existing laws of physics or ones peculiar to a specific multi-verse • Universe consists only of the material (atoms and the void) *MYTH: a story that you tell that is intended to convey deep truths and convictions. It is neither historical or anti-historical (from Northrop Frye)

  9. What is “rational”? • We live in a world of flesh and blood, pain and joy – which “cosmology” offers us the insight we need to live in this world?

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