Is there a transcendental reason for the existence of human life in the universe?

2023-06-20 04:00:24

It never hurts to take a look at the universe and our existence. There are recurring questions related to our role in the vast and enigmatic universe in which we inhabit.

One of the fundamental questions may be: why does the cosmos exhibit the necessary characteristics and properties to allow the existence of intelligent life like ours? So far, the existence of human life appears to be an extraordinary and unique phenomenon. If there were no other civilizations in the universe apart from earthlings – something highly improbable – it is at least evident that we are here and that we are part of the evolution of the universe.

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This question has led to an area of ​​research framed within what is known as the anthropic principle, which explores the implications that our very existence influences the characteristics of the universe.

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With this suggestive name, the British physicist and astrophysicist Brandon Carter, in 1973, suggested that the observable universe must have certain finely tuned adjustments to allow the appearance of intelligent life. Another question related to the same idea would be: is our existence the product of cosmic chance or is there a deeper reason behind it?

Carter introduced the weak and strong formulations of the anthropic principle. The weak anthropic principle holds that we can observe the universe as it is because we wouldn’t be here to make those observations otherwise. In other words, our existence requires that the universe be compatible with life. On the other hand, the strong anthropic principle states that not only is our universe compatible with life, but it must necessarily be so in all its possible forms.

Since its initial approach, the anthropic principle has been the subject of intense debate in the scientific community. Leading British astrophysicist Martin Rees has deeply investigated the fundamental “six numbers” of the universe. He is referring to fundamental physical constants, which if they were slightly different, the universe could be inhospitable to life or even non-existent. This suggests an amazing coincidence, or perhaps a more intriguing explanation.

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Scientists John Barrow and Frank Tipler explored in the 1980s an expanded version of Carter’s original anthropic principle, with implications for cosmology and theoretical physics. They highlight how our universe must have specific characteristics to allow the appearance of intelligent life. These features, such as the accelerating expansion of the universe and the existence of galaxies and stars, are essential to our emergence as conscious beings.

More recently, the anthropic principle has established new close links with cosmology and even with the theory of the multiverse. Renowned theoretical physicist Max Tegmark has investigated how the existence of multiple universes with different physical laws and constants could explain the fine tuning observed in our own universe. According to this perspective, our existence in a universe compatible with life would not be more than a result of the selection of those universes in which life is possible.

The search for a deeper understanding of the physical laws and fundamental principles of the universe continues. Undoubtedly, all these approaches related to the anthropic principle lead us to reflect on new questions: are we just casual spectators in a vast cosmic theater? Or is there a more transcendental reason for our presence here? And the one that worries us the most: will we one day be able to answer these questions?

SANTIAGO VARGAS

Ph.D. D. in Astrophysics

Astronomical Observatory of the National University

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