Review article
The Design Argument – Anthropic Principle
Josip Planinić
; Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Osijek
Abstract
Design arguments endeavor to identify the empirical features of the world as evidence of intelligent design and conclude that God's existence best explains these features.
Such a high degree of order and coherence is prevalent in the world, that this leads to the conclusion that the universe was created according to a plan or design; furthermore, since there is no such thing as a blueprint or drawing without a draftsman, neither is there a design without a designer, and the designer of the world is God. Hume's and Kant's questionable approach to the design argument did have its repercussions in their day. In the 19th century, Darwin develops his evolution theory on species formation and natural selection of living organisms. Many believe that Paley's renowned argument form (were we to find a watch on our walk through a meadow, it would be reasonable to assume that the watch had an inventor, that someone fashioned it) decidedly diminished the probability that the theory of evolution on natural selection is valid. The anthropic principle, or the fine-tuned universe argument, can also be put forward as a design argument – if the universe were to deviate even slightly from what it is now, we would not be here. It is generally held that order in the universe is grounded in several natural laws, and that a high level of equilibrium has been achieved in nature. The values of universal constants are such that they enable man to develop and see himself as belonging in the universe. It seems that the universe is arranged (tuned) exclusively to be agreeable to man. This thought on the notion of purposefulness implies the existence of a Creator of the universe.
Keywords
design argument; anthropic principle; fine tuning; Big Bang
Hrčak ID:
49376
URI
Publication date:
25.3.2010.
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