Sciama’s argument on life in a random universe and distinguishing apples from oranges

Zhi-Wei Wang; Samuel Leon Braunstein

doi:10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9

Sciama’s argument on life in a random universe and distinguishing apples from oranges

Zhi-Wei Wang^*, Samuel Leon Braunstein^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Computer Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate

Abstract

Dennis Sciama has argued that the existence of life depends on many quantities—the fundamental constants—so in a random universe life should be highly unlikely. However, without full knowledge of these constants, his argument implies a universe that could appear to be ‘intelligently designed’.

Original language	English
Number of pages	2
Journal	Nature Astronomy
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 20 Jun 2023

Access to Document

10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9

https://rdcu.be/de2yV

Cite this

@article{af9c305c7bf7460c84eb85636751e40c,

title = "Sciama{\textquoteright}s argument on life in a random universe and distinguishing apples from oranges",

abstract = "Dennis Sciama has argued that the existence of life depends on many quantities—the fundamental constants—so in a random universe life should be highly unlikely. However, without full knowledge of these constants, his argument implies a universe that could appear to be {\textquoteleft}intelligently designed{\textquoteright}.",

author = "Zhi-Wei Wang and Braunstein, {Samuel Leon}",

year = "2023",

month = jun,

day = "20",

doi = "10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9",

language = "English",

journal = "Nature Astronomy",

issn = "2397-3366",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sciama’s argument on life in a random universe and distinguishing apples from oranges

AU - Wang, Zhi-Wei

AU - Braunstein, Samuel Leon

PY - 2023/6/20

Y1 - 2023/6/20

N2 - Dennis Sciama has argued that the existence of life depends on many quantities—the fundamental constants—so in a random universe life should be highly unlikely. However, without full knowledge of these constants, his argument implies a universe that could appear to be ‘intelligently designed’.

AB - Dennis Sciama has argued that the existence of life depends on many quantities—the fundamental constants—so in a random universe life should be highly unlikely. However, without full knowledge of these constants, his argument implies a universe that could appear to be ‘intelligently designed’.

U2 - 10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9

DO - 10.1038/s41550-023-02014-9

M3 - Comment/debate

SN - 2397-3366

JO - Nature Astronomy

JF - Nature Astronomy

ER -