Anthropic Observation Selection Effects and the Design Argument

Faith and Philosophy 26 (4):361-377 (2009)
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Abstract

The Argument from Fine-Tuning, a relatively new version of the Design Argument, has given rise to an objection, based on what is known as the An­thropic Principle. It is alleged that the argument is fallacious in that it involves an observation selection effect—that given the existence of intelligent living observers, the observation that the universe is fine-tuned for the existence of intelligent life is not surprising. Many find this objection puzzling, or at least easily refutable. My main contribution to the discussion is to offer an analysis of what is wrong (and what is right) in the objection.

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The Design Argument.Elliott Sober - 1900 - Cambridge University Press.
The design argument.Elliott Sober - 2004 - In William Mann, The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Religion. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 117–147.

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