Originally posted by AshleyD
Quick humorous observation.
1 in 10^40 odds this happened accidentally to support life.
But you don't know this is the odds. It's just an
assertion. As demonstrated earlier, it appears possible to remove one of the constants
altogether and potentially lead to a universe capable of many of the features of this universe. And as the article states, it is possible that both
the features of the weak force and cosmo constant are not really related to whether potential universes can support some form of life.
Stenger has done the same with many of the other constants. Maybe particular constants are essentially fixed, maybe others can vary. We just don't
know.
You are assuming that this style of universe is the only possible one that could hold some form of life. However, even if it was 1 in 10^40, we still
know very little about the mechanisms underpinning the formation of a universe and its physical features.
It's like trying to guess the probability of something without fully knowing the variables or bounds.
Atheist: It's still possible!
It's a fact it is still possible. Exceedingly unlikely at such odds. That's what you get with positive probabilities. It's easier to demonstrate
with smaller numbers:
If we have 1 in 100. Does that mean we have to wait 100 events to find the specified 1? Not at all. We could get it first time, 50th, last, or even
not at all. Same applies even for 1 in 10^40. Could be first event, 10000000 millionth, or the 10^40th, or never.
It's statistical in nature.
50/50 odds God exists.
Atheist: Pfft! Theists are delusional.
Heh, and where does the 50/50 come from? Yes/No? Is it also 50/50 that leprechauns exist?
I'd give you possibly 1% (for Oom) and less (for Super Santa). Of course, I just pulled the number from my ass like you.
But I do base this on a subjective Baysian-style analysis, generally sourced from lack of real evidence for any supernatural forces, vacuity of
religious claims, anthropomorphic features of human gods, the idiosyncratic subjective nature of such claims, the evolution of religion over time, the
presence of cognitive biases that potentially underpin religious beliefs, the inconsistent emotion-based claims of religious people, the tendency of
religious people to believe even when faced with contradictory evidence, the cultural nature of such god belief, potentially along with other things I
can't be bothered dragging from my mind.
That will do. You have a book, subjective feelings, and ever shrinking gaps in knowledge into which to shove your pet god. However, I do think this is
the biggest gap for you. Much better than arguing against evolutionary theory, that makes theists look rather silly. But it's still a gap argument -
it's too complex and difficult for natural mechanisms, therefore we need a very complex intelligent designer for this process - and it is the
god-man-son, super-santa, spookish Jesus!
History isn't on your side for such arguments.
There have been many religions over human history, they can't all be right. But they can
all be wrong. Indeed, that is the most likely case in
my opinion.
[edit on 8-7-2008 by melatonin]