The Fine Tuned Laws Of Nature – Part II

A Universe So Finely Tuned It’s Impossible For It To Have Happened By Chance

Recall from Part I in this thread that some of the constants associated with the laws of nature are finely tuned to one part in 10⁶⁰ or even 10¹⁰¹²³ such that just a one part change in those constants would result in no stars and no life.

These are crazy, incomprehensible numbers that, even when compared to the 10²⁰ seconds since the big bang, are still incomprehensible.

This 80 second video, featuring Chris Impey, continues that thread of argument using a different set of examples discussing variations; those constants associated with forces operating at the atomic level – the strong and weak nuclear forces.

Chris Impey is the University Distinguished Professor and deputy head of the department of astronomy at the University of Arizona.  He has published 16 books and dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles.

Key Conclusions From The Video

• Weak nuclear force, responsible for radioactive decay in certain atoms
  • Slightly stronger – no remaining hydrogen so no water and no stable stars
  • Slightly weaker – no hydrogen at all so, again, no stars
• Strong nuclear force that binds protons and neutrons together
  • 2% stronger – no protons in the early universe and fast burning stars
  • 5% weaker – no stars at all
• Small changes in those forces would lead to no stars and no life

The final video in this thread begins by reiterating many of the points made in other videos but goes on with more data and, more importantly, validation from more prominent scientists.

This 5 minute clip is from the John Ankerberg Show with arguments presented succinctly by Dr. William Lane Craig.  Dr. Craig is a Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University.  He has authored or edited over thirty books and published over a hundred articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology.

Supplemental Conclusions From This Video – Beyond Those Made In Previous Videos

• A life-permitting universe requires gravity and the weak nuclear force to be tuned to 1 part in 10¹⁰⁰
• There are 3 possible explanations for why the laws of nature are so finely tuned
  • The have to be so out of physical necessity; they need to be that way
    • But there’s nothing in nature forcing the values to be this way
  • It’s just pure chance
    • Based on the astronomical odds, pure chance is completely implausible
  • It’s the result of an intelligent designer – God
    • This must be so; there’s no other viable explanation for the impossible fine tuning we see in the universe

Conclusion

• Our best cosmology scientists recognize that the universe is impossibly fine-tuned to be able to exist and function as it does
• Examples include:
  • The gravitational constant, G, is tuned to 1 part in 10⁶⁰
  • The cosmological constant used to calculate the expansion rate of the universe is tuned to 1 part in 10¹²⁰
  • The amount of mass and energy distributed in the early universe is tuned to 1 part in 10¹⁰¹²³
  • These are just a few of the many equally fine tuned mathematical constants present in the laws of nature
• The numbers here huge and beyond comprehension.  Compare them to:
  • 10¹⁴ cells in your body
  • 10²⁰ seconds since the Big Bang
  • 10⁸⁰ particles (protons, neutrons, electrons and the like) in the known universe
• There are only two viable explanations for the impossible fine tuning we see in the universe:
  • Either we incredibly lucky – that the universe was created this way by chance
  • An all-powerful intelligence – God – created it this way
• With numbers like 1 part in 10¹²⁰ or even 1 part in 10¹⁰¹²³ clearly it’s impossible for us to be just so lucky.  Frankly, the faith that it takes to believe we’re just that lucky borders on the irrational
• The only viable explanation for the existence of such a finely tuned universe is that it was created on purpose by God.  There must have been cause, intelligence and purpose involved.

P.S., For you non-math types, I apologize for all the crazy numbers.  It’s the only way to describe “impossible”.  That said, I’m sure you got the point they’re trying to communicate.

It’s interesting to note that the more we understand the science of the universe, the more clearly we see the hand of God in action.  The laws and constants discussed in this God And The Universe thread are sufficient to prove that God exists and God created the universe.  However, there are dozens more natural laws and associated, extremely precise constants that also could not have been established by chance.  Most importantly, all these laws must have been created in the first seconds after the Big Bang to be true across the universe. The first few seconds! That’s yet more undeniable proof of the hand of God!