Anthropic Fluctuations vs. Weak Anthropic Principle

Author: irkovi M.M.

Source: Foundations of Science, Volume 7, Number 4, December 2002 , pp. 453-463(11)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

A modern assessment of the classical Boltzmann-Schuetz argument for large-scale entropy fluctuations as the origin of our observable cosmological domain is given. The emphasis is put on the central implication of this picture which flatly contradicts the weak anthropic principle as an epistemological statement about the universe. Therefore, to associate this picture with the anthropic principle as it is usually done is unwarranted. In particular, Feynman's criticism of the anthropic principle based on the entropy-fluctuation picture is a product of this semantic confusion.

Keywords: arrow of time; anthropic principle; entropy; philosophy of cosmology

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, Volgina 7, 11160 Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia

Publication date: 2002-12-01

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