Thread: The universe and it's order.

Originally Posted by Xei

Bluefinger, the problem most people have with the first is that improbable things don't tend to happen. That's it basically.

I think you need to explain the fifth point a little more though because I don't understand what you're trying to say as it is.

Are you saying that we are brains in vats, and that some kind of consciousness made a fake reality for some reason? For example, 'real reality' being too boring or depressing?

First of all, what do you define as being improbable in terms of the statement? It would help me a little if that was made a little more clear, so I could at least provide a rebuttal on that issue.

Secondly, as for the simulated reality option, I don't wish to associate the option with something that The Matrix portrays (though that in itself is a possibility), it is more likely that in such a situation, it'll be likely that we would merely be AI programs that exist within a larger simulation. So in effect, our minds and bodies are mere program constructs, and the very universe we exist in is merely programmed to act in certain ways. In essence, what we think is God would actually be a nerdy Computer Scientist (since he would qualify as the creator, etc). Our universe may simply be an experiment, or it could be a simulation for the purpose of entertainment (Experience the 21st Century! All from the comfort of your own home! Etcetera...).

Hope that clears some things up.

I think Gnome has tagged the issue pretty squarely. What you all are getting hung up on is the anthropomorphic idea that all life must look and behave like we do. Many elements are capable of forming life in the way that carbon does, and would be better suited to the task under different circumstances. The fact is, life may very well not be signifigant at all, and may form no matter what the initial conditions are; no matter whether we would recognize it or not. Just look at the diversity in which life manifests itself on this planet, all under the same physical laws. We have creatures that need never see the sun, we have creatures that can stand drastically greater and lesser atmospheric pressures, etc.. What is most likely the case is that if the fundamental forces of our universe were drastically different, life would manifest itself in a drastically different way, as opposed to not at all.