A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos
Abstract
Over the last forty years, scientists have uncovered evidence that if the Universe had been forged with even slightly different properties, life as we know it - and life as we can imagine it - would be impossible. Join us on a journey through how we understand the Universe, from its most basic particles and forces, to planets, stars and galaxies, and back through cosmic history to the birth of the cosmos. Conflicting notions about our place in the Universe are defined, defended and critiqued from scientific, philosophical and religious viewpoints. The authors' engaging and witty style addresses what fine-tuning might mean for the future of physics and the search for the ultimate laws of nature. Tackling difficult questions and providing thought-provoking answers, this volumes challenges us to consider our place in the cosmos, regardless of our initial convictions.
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Our best current science suggests that the laws of physics and the initial conditions of our universe are fine-tuned for the possibility of life.
“Our best current science seems to suggest the laws of physics and the initial conditions of our universe are fine-tuned for the possibility of life.”
From Is the fine-tuning evidence for a multiverse? (2024) · cites this paper as Lewis & Barnes, 2016
Cites
Why Is the Cosmic Microwave Background Fluctuation Level 10<sup>−5</sup>?
Tegmark, M., & Rees, M. J. (1998) · The Astrophysical Journal · doi:10.1086/305673 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
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Did the universe design itself?
Goff, P. (2019) · International Journal for Philosophy of Religion · doi:10.1007/s11153-018-9692-z · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Multiple Universes and Self-Locating Evidence
Isaacs, Y., Hawthorne, J., & Sanford Russell, J. (2022) · The Philosophical Review · doi:10.1215/00318108-9743809 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Is the fine-tuning evidence for a multiverse?
Goff, P. (2024) · Synthese · doi:10.1007/s11229-024-04621-z · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Souza Mendes, R. (2023) · Cosmological and Astrobiological Review: Journal for the Study of the Universe, Life and the Natural Sciences · doi:10.65932/car-2023-1-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
- Authors
- Lewis, G. F., Barnes, L. A., & Schmidt, B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Australian National University (AU)
- Venue
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Published
- 2016-10-06
- OpenAlex
- W3111156730
- Cited by
- 62
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6
- FWCI
- 3.22
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- International Linear Collider (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Keywords
- fine-tuning, anthropic principle, origin of the universe, fundamental physical constants, cosmic history, cosmology, philosophy of physics, life in the universe
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