Does the Cosmos Have a Purpose?
Philosophy Now|June/July 2024
Raymond Tallis argues intently against universal intention.
Raymond Tallis
Does the Cosmos Have a Purpose?

The idea of a cosmic purpose is one which many of us are familiar with from religion. What happens in this world, so the story goes, is ultimately an expression of divine will. With the rise of science, the notion of a universe regulated by a deity has been displaced by one regulated by non-conscious physical laws. Being non-conscious, those laws are empty of purpose. Their regulative powers are also not external to the phenomena aligned with them. As the philosopher Helen Beebee wittily expressed it, physical laws are not "prior to and watching over matters of fact to make sure they don't step out of line" (Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 61, 2000). Happenings are simply the patterns or habits of the unfolding natural world, unguided by a cosmic purpose. So that's that, then.

Except it isn't. For some thinkers the possibility of cosmic purpose has been revived by the very science that had seemed to have killed it. This resurrection is rooted in the discovery that the laws of physics must be fine-tuned to an unimaginable degree for there to be a universe that could generate and sustain life (or even the chemical complexity preceding life). Just how fine the tuning has to be is illustrated by the fact that the amount of dark energy in empty space - the so-called 'cosmological constant' or 'vacuum energy' must be more than zero, but not greater than 10-122 units. This is necessary to ensure that the universe neither collapsed in on itself nor blew itself apart before clumping into habitable planets. The physicist Luke Barnes calculates that the odds of getting a universe fine-tuned for life are 1 in 10135.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June/July 2024-Ausgabe von Philosophy Now.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June/July 2024-Ausgabe von Philosophy Now.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS PHILOSOPHY NOWAlle anzeigen
Anselm (1033-1109)
Philosophy Now

Anselm (1033-1109)

Martin Jenkins recalls the being of the creator of the ontological argument.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
Is Brillo Box an Illustration?
Philosophy Now

Is Brillo Box an Illustration?

Thomas E. Wartenberg uses Warhol's work to illustrate his theory of illustration.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
Why is Freedom So Important To Us?
Philosophy Now

Why is Freedom So Important To Us?

John Shand explains why free will is basic to humanity.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
The Funnel of Righteousness
Philosophy Now

The Funnel of Righteousness

Peter Worley tells us how to be right, righter, rightest.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October/November 2024
We're as Smart as the Universe Gets
Philosophy Now

We're as Smart as the Universe Gets

James Miles argues, among other things, that E.T. will be like Kim Kardashian, and that the real threat of advanced AI has been misunderstood.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October/November 2024
Managing the Mind
Philosophy Now

Managing the Mind

Roger Haines contemplates how we consciously manage our minds.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
lain McGilchrist's Naturalized Metaphysics
Philosophy Now

lain McGilchrist's Naturalized Metaphysics

Rogério Severo looks at the brain to see the world anew.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October/November 2024
Love & Metaphysics
Philosophy Now

Love & Metaphysics

Peter Graarup Westergaard explains why love is never just physical, with the aid of Donald Davidson's anomalous monism.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
Mary Leaves Her Room
Philosophy Now

Mary Leaves Her Room

Nigel Hems asks, does Mary see colours differently outside her room?

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October/November 2024
From Birds To Brains
Philosophy Now

From Birds To Brains

Jonathan Moens considers whether emergence can explain minds from brains.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October/November 2024