What the Fine-Tuning Argument Shows (and Doesn’t Show)

I argue that considerations about the nature of probability and explanation imply that some differences about how to understand the apparent fact that the universe is “fine-tuned” in various respects are unresolvable within the bounds of any discussion that is limited to the facts at issue and the nature of the proper way to reason from those facts.

[1]  S. Bangu On Bertrand's paradox , 2010 .

[2]  P. Davies Cosmic jackpot : why our universe is just right for life , 2007 .

[3]  Bas C. van Fraassen,et al.  The Scientific Image , 1980 .

[4]  W. Craig DESIGN AND THE ANTHROPIC FINE-TUNING OF THE UNIVERSE , 2003 .

[5]  Neil A. Manson There Is No Adequate Definition of ?Fine-tuned for Life? , 2000 .

[6]  J. Keynes A Treatise on Probability. , 1923 .

[7]  Van Fraassen,et al.  Laws and symmetry , 1989 .

[8]  S. S. Wilks,et al.  Probability, statistics and truth , 1939 .

[9]  Neil A. Manson God and Design : The Teleological Argument and Modern Science , 2003 .

[10]  Peter Lipton,et al.  Inference to the best explanation , 1993 .

[11]  J. Barrow,et al.  The Anthropic Cosmological Principle , 1987 .

[12]  B. Monton God, Fine-Tuning, and the Problem of Old Evidence , 2006, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.

[13]  Jeffrey M. Mikkelson Dissolving the Wine/Water Paradox , 2004, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.

[14]  M. Murray Reason for the hope within , 1999 .

[15]  A. McGrath A fine-tuned universe : the quest for God in science and theology : the 2009 Gifford lectures , 2009 .

[16]  Jill North,et al.  An Empirical Approach to Symmetry and Probability , 2010 .

[17]  Graham Priest,et al.  Problems With the Argument From Fine Tuning , 2005, Synthese.

[18]  J. Norton Ignorance and Indifference* , 2008, Philosophy of Science.

[19]  Neil A. Manson,et al.  Fine-tuning, multiple universes, and the this universe objection , 2003 .

[20]  Elliott Sober,et al.  The Design Argument , 2008, Core Questions in Philosophy.

[21]  Roger White Fine-Tuning and Multiple Universes , 2000 .