Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Anthropic Principle: the justification of the observability of the universe by properties that correspond to the observer. In this form, the principle is not about the existence of the universe and the observer, but about necessary properties._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Charles Lyell on Anthropic Principle - Dictionary of Arguments
Gould I 140 Anthropic Principle/Predecessor/Lyell/Gould: the thesis that the history of the Earth so far represents only a preparation for the appearance of the human, (1) is highly doubtful. GouldVs: just as well the human could exist due a stupid coincidence, completely unpredictable and yet embody something new and powerful. Charles Lyell held the view that the earth had longed for the appearance of the human to come (2) (comparable to the strong anthropic principle). Gould I 141 Gould: The modern version of this theory dispenses with predetermination in favor of predictability. It gives up the idea that the first bacterium was already endowed with the germ to a human mind and that some spiritual power supervised organic evolution in order to fill the first body worthy of it with mind. Instead, it (erroneously) takes the view that the full development process is producing ever more successful designs that compete with earlier ones. In their opinion, there are few opportunities for development, and if it were repeated again, it would take place in the same way. There is only one way to e.g. sort out the best swimmers, that's what you would imagine as a kind of pawl, and not as currents of water on a wide slope. A type of locking device in which each development step takes the process one step forward and is a necessary prerequisite for the next. Gould I 143 GouldVs: if this were the case, fossil finds would have to demonstrate a more directed development. That it is not the case, is the most impressive proof against this thesis of the pawl. 1. Lyell 2. ibd._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
GeoLyell I Charles Lyell Principles of Geology, Volume 1 Chicago 1990 Gould I Stephen Jay Gould The Panda’s Thumb. More Reflections in Natural History, New York 1980 German Edition: Der Daumen des Panda Frankfurt 2009 Gould II Stephen Jay Gould Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes. Further Reflections in Natural History, New York 1983 German Edition: Wie das Zebra zu seinen Streifen kommt Frankfurt 1991 Gould III Stephen Jay Gould Full House. The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin, New York 1996 German Edition: Illusion Fortschritt Frankfurt 2004 Gould IV Stephen Jay Gould The Flamingo’s Smile. Reflections in Natural History, New York 1985 German Edition: Das Lächeln des Flamingos Basel 1989 |
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> Counter arguments against Lyell
> Counter arguments in relation to Anthropic Principle
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-28