10 - Is the Universe Fine Tuned by a Higher Power?
Manage episode 491758654 series 3662144
In this episode, we will explore an important question in scientific cosmology and spirituality: Our universe contains a number of physical constants woven into diverse equations that govern physical laws and determine the conditions for life. Over the years, physicists have marveled at how the values of these physical constants are just right for the emergence of carbon-based life, such as humans. In fact, these values appear to be perfectly fine tuned for life. Why is that?
Physicists call this phenomenon the “Anthropic Principle” because it enables human life. This Anthropic Principle raises an intriguing question: Was it just a lucky coincidence that these physical constants are just right for the emergence of carbon-based life? Or, do these well calibrated physical constants provide evidence of Design? In other words, did some “Higher Power”—God, perhaps—design the universe so that life would emerge as part of the evolutionary process? This is a real puzzle.
In this episode, we will examine this puzzle, with the assistance of Dr. Gintaras Duda, who is Chair of the Physics Department at Creighton University in Omaha.
11 episodes