Walker, Mark and Cirkovic, Milan M. (2003) Anthropic Reasoning and the Contemporary Design Argument in Astrophysics: A Reply to Robert Klee. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In a recent study of astrophysical “fine-tunings” (or “coincidences”), Robert Klee critically assesses the support that such astrophysical evidence might be thought to lend to the design argument (i.e., the argument that our universe has been designed by some deity). Klee argues that a proper assessment indicates that the universe is not as “fine-tuned” as advertised by proponents of the design arguments. We argue (i) that Klee’s assessment of the data is, to a certain extent, problematic; and (ii) even if Klee’s assessment of the data is correct, it provides a necessary but not a sufficient response to the design argument. However, an adequate skeptical rejoinder to the design argument can be made by appealing to the anthropic principle.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Walker, Mark Cirkovic, Milan M. mcirkovic@aob.rs
Additional Information:	Response to the recent wide-ranging criticism of the anthropic reasoning by Robert Klee in "Brit. J. Phil. Sci.", vol. 53, 331-354
Keywords:	philosophy of cosmology, observation selection, anthropic principle
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Science and Religion
Depositing User:	Milan Cirkovic
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2003
Last Modified:	31 May 2017 00:37
Item ID:	1443
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Science and Religion
Date:	October 2003
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/1443

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