Posted on 12/08/2008 11:56:24 AM PST by Soliton
Is there a God or a multiverse? Does modern cosmology force us to choose? Is it the case that the apparent fine-tuning of constants and forces to make the universe just right for life means there is either a need for a "tuner" or else a cosmos in which every possible variation of these constants and forces exists somewhere?
This choice has provoked anxious comment in the pages of this week's New Scientist. It follows an article in Discover magazine, in which science writer Tim Folger quoted cosmologist Bernard Carr: "If you don't want God, you'd better have a multiverse."
Even strongly atheistic physicists seem to believe the choice is unavoidable. Steven Weinberg, the closest physics comes to a Richard Dawkins, told the eminent biologist: "If you discovered a really impressive fine-tuning ... I think you'd really be left with only two explanations: a benevolent designer or a multiverse."
The anxiety in the New Scientist stems in part from the way this apparent choice has been leapt upon by the intelligent design people. Scientists don't like that since it seems to suggest that ID offers a theory that cosmologists are taking seriously. It doesn't of course: ID wasn't science before the multiverse hypothesis gained prominence, just a few years ago; and it hasn't become science since.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Ping
OK. That article made my head hurt. I think that there is an intelligent designer.
Is God limited as to his instruments? Mine isn’t...
Can you describe what characteristics your designer would have?
>I vote for multiverse
Are the two mutually exclusive? I mean if God says it’s His will that none should perish, who am I to say that He can’t have other Universes where He gets to save those? Likewise, who am I to berate God if THIS is the ONLY universe that exists?
Define "God"?
The article says no
So wrong on so many levels.
The possibility that the universe has directionality or purpose, even if self-contained – that is, not making any appeal to an external deity – has been forcefully rejected by most of modern science. But maybe the extraordinary phenomenon that is an evolving universe containing conscious observers is itself forcing science to reconsider.
Whatever they are, they are most certainly more defining than "anything and everything happens all of the time".
We probably don't get to choose. We were not even consulted.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7)
i dont see how a choice needs to be made. if you say the universe is unlimited in size or there are an unlimited number of universes (multiverse), then theoretically you could make the argument that every possible combination of everything has to happen - which leads to other earths with you living on them somewhere out there in the cosmos. but i can see someone thinking there is no God and there is a finite universe.
Actually, betty boop and alamo_girl have written a book that pretty much contends just that.
They have a right to be wrong.
I sincerely cannot see how someone can believe in something they can't even define
You have snatched the pebble from my hand Grasshopper. Go and teach the uninitiated
You just summarized the article.
LOL
So, you don’t believe in pornography? ;)
Why couldn’t God have created the multiverse?
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