ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE
Weak Anthropic Principle (WAP):
The observed values of all physical and
cosmological quantities are not equally probable but they take on values
restricted by the requirement that there exist sites where carbon-based
life can evolve and by the requirements that the Universe be old enough
for it to have already done so.
Strong Anthropic Principle (SAP):
The Universe must have those properties
which allow life to develop within it at some stage in its history. Because:
- There exists one possible Universe 'designed' with the goal of
generating and sustaining 'observers'. Or...
- Observers are necessary to bring the Universe into being (Wheeler's
Participatory Anthropic Principle (PAP)). Or...
- An ensemble of other different universes is necessary for the
existence of our Universe (which may be related to the
Many_Worlds
interpretation of quantum mechanics).
Final Anthropic Principle (FAP):
Intelligent information-processing must come into existence in the
Universe, and, once it comes into existence, it will never die out.
R. Michael Perry has another interesting variant of the anthropic principle:
Individual Anthropic Metaprinciple (IAM):
The universe that I as an observer perceive is so structured
that I am immortal.
A very interesting and detailed introduction to Anthropic Principle
The Ultimate Site for Anthropic Stuff.
A Related and Interesting Article by
Victor Stenger: Cosmythology
SUGGESTED READINGS
[1] John D Barrow & Frank J Tipler - The Anthropic Cosmological
Principle
[2] John D Barrow - The Origin of the Universe
(Science Masters series ISBN 0-297-81497-4 pp150) Excellent.
[3] Paul Davies - The Mind of God
(Penguin 1993 ISBN 0-14-015815-4 pp254)
[4] Paul Davies - Are We Alone?
[5] Paul Davies - The Accidental Universe
[6] Paul Davies - The Last Three Minutes
[7] John Gribbin - In The Beginning
( Also see Gribbin's home_page.
[8] John Gribbin & Martin Rees - Cosmic Coincidences
