NASA's Kepler scape telescope has recently found what seems to be a planet very similar to Earth that can, according to NPR, “be home to liquid water and maybe even life.” In addition to this planet, Natalie Batalha of San Jose University in California -- member of the Kepler team -- says, “We believe that we've got some very, very viable candidates here that are Earth-sized, near-Earth-sized, and in the habitable zones.” Findings like these appear to show that the fine-tuning argument for God's existence and other theistic beliefs are problematic.
The fine-tuning argument for God's existence posits that the fundamental constants of the universe, if even slightly altered, would not be conducive for life. The person using the argument typically argues that the chances of the fundamental constants being the way that they are are so unlikely that an intelligent being [God] must have designed them. The fine-tuning of the universe -- the person using this reasoning argues -- is either due to physical necessity, chance or design and since fine-tuning is not due to physical necessity or chance, it is due to design.
Discoveries of other planets that may be conducive for life appear to cast doubt on the fundamental reasoning behind fine-tuning arguments. One objection to the fine-tuning argument is that the argument misunderstands probability; given the vastness of the universe and a large amount of time, planets that are conducive to life should actually be very likely to arise considering all of the 'chances.' While the particular chances for, say Earth, may be low, the chances for some planet that is suitable for some life are quite high.
The new NASA findings show that while other planets may not be exactly like Earth, they are Earth-like and may support life. This shows that various 'configurations' – not just the way the earth and our solar system are 'configured' – allow for life.
Advances in technology continue to reveal new information about the universe and might soon allow researchers to find life on other planets. PhD astronomer Phil Plait, commenting on the recent Kepler scape telescope discoveries, notes that “we're getting really good at” finding planets and believes that we will soon find 'another Earth.' He writes, “How long before we find another Earth this way? I'm guessing not very long. A few years at most. If they're out there, they can't hide forever.”
Discovery of new planets in the universe that can support life and other considerations such as the vastness of the universe cast doubt on the fundamental assumptions of the fine-tuning argument and seems to reveal that life may not only be found on Earth. When and if new life is discovered somewhere in some galaxy, what shall happen to the common theistic belief that the universe was made specifically for humans?
Comments