Book Review - Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes
In this book, Vilenkin makes the case that quantum fluctuations cause tiny universes to be created and destroyed continuously (a theory known as eternal inflation). Our universe is one of these, which finished its inflationary period long ago. In this view, determining the properties of our universe should be based on the anthropic principle, a controversial principle which says that since we are here we can use the fact that we're here to explain and predict what values the universe should have. (The reason for the controversy is that most physicists would like to explain the properties of the universe that allow us to be here from fundamental principles, and not use the fact that we're here as one of the defining characteristics of the universe.)
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Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes by Alex Vilenkin
Hill and Wang Press
Comments
(The reason for the controversy is that most physicists would like to explain the properties of the universe that allow us to be here from fundamental principles, and not use the fact that we’re here as one of the defining characteristics of the universe.)
And they absolutely refuse to consider solutions that explain the properties of the universe that allow us to be here from *bio-oriented* first principles, which, I will guarantee you is the sole reason why we have no hard solution to this problem.
Think about it.
Also, your reference to an atheism oriented website for the definition of the AP simply begs for a lame answer that will always have the sole intended purpose of downplaying the significance of the observation.
This is much more accurate:
http://dorigo.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/guest-post-rick-ryals-the-anthropic-principle/