Derek Fox, Penn State
1/28/21
Zoom Recording
Abstract:
I will review the Anthropic Principle of Brandon Carter (FRS), Steven Weinberg, and others, as an argument originating in astrophysics that has recently risen to new heights of popularity among philosophers thanks to Nick Bostrom. I will then discuss Carter’s Doomsday Argument as a significant extension of this idea of “anthropic selection,” with potentially enormous import, which ultimately can be judged a red herring. Finally, I will discuss Carter’s “Hard Steps” argument regarding the origins and evolution of life on Earth, and its recent application to the question of whether M-dwarf stars are likely to host habitable planets and technologically accomplished civilizations.