Re: Universes...ad infinitum

In <471cf672$0$8414$db0fefd9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Lee wrote:

"Jeffrey Goldberg" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

The only reason we have to believe in many universes with different
physical constants is to solve the metaphysical problem of how fortunate
it is that there is any universe that is fit for life to develop in.

If it is true that there are multiple universes surely insisting that they
have to be fine tuned to support earth type life does not allow for the
development other unfamiliar life forms.

I think that you have misunderstood what I said in two respects. First if there are multiple universes with different physical constants or laws, then we have to insist on nothing more. Most of those universes will probably be unable to support the evolution of any kind of life (they might not last long enough, the distribution of energy might not be "lumpy" enough, etc). All we need is that at least one is capable of providing the right among of constancy and change for evolution to do its work.

Naturally, in any universe (or planet, or galaxy) in which evolution can get a foothold, the life that evolves will match up very well to the parameters of that environment. That's what evolution produces.

So for me the question of "how come the physical environment we see is so closely tied to our kind of life" is like asking how come legs are so well designed to wear trousers.

Assuming multiple universes (with different physics) gets us around "explaining" the fact that the universe we live in has the right kind of physics for some kind of life to evolve in.

-j

--
Jeffrey Goldberg http://www.goldmark.org/jeff/
I rarely read top-posted, over-quoting or HTML postings.
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