An
Argument Against the Illusion of Intelligent Design
By
Eric Visconti
If all things are improbable, then
nothing is truly impossible once we understand the probability. The universe has no boundaries in
reference to size, but theoretical physics is being backed by observable
science showing it has no foreseeable limit to possibility
as well. Reality once was accepted
as solid matter until Einstein resolved matter as being fields of energy. The power of thought used to conceive
and verify such possibility is also a form of energy. What is possible in reality is becoming accepted to be as
unlimited as diverse potential of thought. Yet how we perceive potential possibility has direct bearing
on what we come to discover and understand in reality.
The universe is accepted to have a
theoretical beginning and our power to observe evidence of that has greatly
increased with modern technology.
The Big Bang Theory proposes a condensation of matter led to a tremendous
explosion after which the forces of gravity led to the formation of stars and
galaxies we observe today. Such
galaxies are flying further apart and gaining speed traveling away from the
universal center towards no observable boundary though there is background
radiation which is thought to be remnants of the original “big bang”. Size only has meaning when
there are measurable boundaries or definable edges with observation. Observational science shows evidence of
inflationary cosmology, or the rapid early expansion of the universe. This observable inflation supports
mathematical evidence that our universe is only an incredibly small part of
system far beyond our comprehension of size. This larger system is becoming known as the Mulitverse, or
The Cosmic Landscape.
The concept of the Cosmic Landscape
(Suskind, 2006) literally refers to all
of the space which theory allows rather than a literal physical place. Reality was once perceived as having 3
dimensions until time was considered to be a fourth. Then mathematical theory gave equations that appear to
verify the existence of 10 dimensions.
With the Cosmic Landscape there are over 500 according to Suskind. Why is this important where it comes to
the argument for or against Intelligent Design? It all has to do with the unlikelihood of life existing on
Earth due to a number of unusual factors each having balance within a narrow
range. Just consider the small
temperature range water must have to support life as one unlikelihood. There are many, many more. To see this as accidental has caused
many to view the universe as being “designed” for a purpose. The argument against Intelligent
Design is simply this. Increase
the number of universal variables infinitely and you increase the unlikelihood
of conditions for life becomes more of a finite probability.
There are two foreseeable flaws
with this argument. The first is
with the concept of expanding probability by infinitely expanding size. Using this same argument would also
allow for the possibility of expanding one’s automobile to the point where an
elephant could spontaneously appear inside without the driver being immediately
aware of his presence. This in
itself is not foundation for argument either way, but merely an increase of potential
which can apply to many things.
The second flaw with this argument is consistency. It is not entirely impossible to have
500 dimensions in the universe, each with its own set of physical laws. The problem is using this line of
reasoning to state the universe came together in a way to support life here by
accident just because we have increased the variables to allow more possibility
for this to have happened. By the
same mechanism we have also increased the probability that there is an
intelligent designer of the universe, yet unobserved or detected
physically. In order to use this
argument in a consistent manner, one would have to concede that it also
provides more likelihood for the existence of God. Will it one day be possible to verify such things by the
observation of space?
Even the space between galaxies is not really empty
space. Space is filled with
all kinds of sub atomic particles, which physicists such as Feynman have
noted. Feynman created very simple
theoretical diagrams to note how particles interact, such as a positron emitting
a photon and becoming an electron.
Such a diagram is simply a line with an angle being the event where the
photon is emitted. A similar
diagram would show how a positron and electron can annihilate each other
producing a photon. Multiply this
by the infinity of space and you can begin to see how space is full of violent
energetic interaction on a subatomic level. This is a simplistic description of what is known as quantum
jitters (Suskind, 2006).
There is more to reality than what
can be observed in three-dimensional space. The modern study of String Theory mathematics is showing
this to be true. String Theory
points to particles being formed of strings of energy, which can potentially
extend across infinite expanses of space.
The theory also shows mathematical evidence pointing to the existence of
multiple dimensions as previously noted (Suskind,
2008). At this point
it is important to add back to the picture some of Einstein’s work, which was
previously mentioned. E=MC2 shows
that matter equals energy and vice versa (Einstein, 1920). Matter is converted into energy in
examples common in every day life.
Some laboratory experiments will show that energy actually adds mass to
matter. One example is heating a
pot of water that is sealed so no steam can escape. Very delicate measurements before and after will show that
the energy of heat has actually added weight. With such theory proven true, it becomes necessary to view
reality with a different perspective.
The solid floors walked upon in rooms are fields of energy composed of
mostly empty space within the structure of each atom. The solid trees outdoors are actually mostly empty
space. If everything which can be
seen is actually fields of energy suspended in a reality with much more than
three dimensions, then the theoretical limits of possibility existing in the
Cosmic Landscape are truly phenomenal. This should be appreciated in spite of any differing
opinions about who or what is responsible for the astonishing splendor and diversity
of Creation itself.
These theories discovered by great
physicists of our time have been or will be confirmed in observation through
science. As more theories are
created and confirmed through research and observation, more of the astonishing
beauty of life can be explored.
Yet there is one thing not found in these theories, which leaves
questions that may yet have to be answered. Theoretical physics explores
reality through interaction seeing things in a vast continuum where such
concepts as size and time appear to have no limit in either direction of
measurement. Yet as this vast
system of the megaverse is studied and explored, the component which does not
appear to be included is human life itself. It is apparent that we as interactive intelligent life
are not included in these theories explaining the reality in which we
exist. It is very important to
think of why the concept of including us must be considered.
Everything in reality is
interactive including rocks and trees to varying degrees. Human beings are interactive to a much
higher degree obviously. As
Quantum Theory is considered, interaction is the key of understanding how
anything can affect the outcome of everything. Where Newton left off with a deterministic reality, science
had a concept that all events in space and time could be predicted if it were
possible to know the position and trajectory of every particle in existence (Suskind,
2008). Quantum Theory is a
study of probability showing that nothing can be determined absolutely. Consider the study of sub atomic
particles in space. As each bumps
another and interacts, it causes changes in other particles, which then
interact with others. Even
observation changes outcome in Quantum Theory. If a particle is hit with enough
energy to resolve it and observe it, then it will have changed in some way (Suskind,
2006). This becomes clear
and observable with events of everyday life in our world.
Each of our bodies is composed of
matter, which Einstein proved is energy (Einstein, 1920). All people, as well as animal life, are
thinking thoughts, which is another form of energy. Everyone who is alive is performing some kind of action,
which expends energy. These
actions change the environment in some way around anyone, even if it is a
simple matter of locating car keys.
And yet we have seen that it only takes a particle to affect and change
another particle. We are so much
more than that, and we are intelligent.
If we somehow do not include our presence in these theories about the
universe or megaverse, we are implying that we are somehow not a part of the
system we are observing. To say
that human beings are not a part of the universe is an absurdity.
Thought would also be a part of the
universe, but in ways that appear to be unstudied in modern times. This is a concept that has been
considered in ancient literature.
The writings of Matthew in the Bible record the words of the biblical
character Jesus who said that if we commit a sin in our minds we are guilty of
committing that sin in life. That
was obviously written to prevent people from doing bad things by encouraging
them not to give such notions thought.
Now we must apply the concept to thinking in general. What is being said is that if any one
of us resolves all of the problems of an idea in our minds, there is nothing
left to stop us bringing that idea or concept into reality. That is the process that happened with
any cell phone, toaster, car, telescope, or toothpick ever made. Now let us throw in one last ingredient
into what we are considering. The
Holographic Principle touches on Einstein’s discovery as a foundation for
seeing all of matter as a three dimensional “images” of energy in space (Suskind,
2008). Much of thought, if
not all of thought, is nothing less than three dimensional imagery. How much or how little separates
thought from reality when they are both composed of energy? Perhaps as thought is applied to this
concept, studies will uncover new perspectives about the reality in which we
live.
It is understood that there is no
true way to quantify thought. Even
when we see actions in progress by other intelligent life in our world, we can
easily misinterpret the thought behind the action. This is easy to do with another human being, even when
communication is present. We are
not perfect, and nothing in our reality is perfect. Niels Bohr once said, “Anyone not shocked by Quantum
Mechanics has not understood it.” (Bohr, 1987). As weird as Quantum Mechanics
truly is, it is simply the study of probability through interaction in
reality. Thought is the birthplace
of interaction in intelligent life, and the limitless nature of thought is only
matched by the diversity of the theoretical universe. Perhaps considering thought and our actual presence in
theoretical research of the universe is the next key in understanding it, and
why we are here. Physicists should
not fear the concept of the existence of God as being a departure from science,
as this does not change the study of how the universe works in the quest for
making things previously unseen to be understood. Theologians should not discredit science as a departure from
faith as discovery is impossible without faith, and the understanding of creation
can only deepen the appreciation of God. It would be expected that some may think this notion is
crazy. There is the potential that
others will think like Bohr to see if it is “crazy enough to have a chance of
being correct.” (Bohr, 1987).
References:
Bohr, N. (1987). The Philosophical Writings
of Neils Bohr. Woodbridge, Connecticut: Ox Bow Press.
Einstein, A. (1920). Relativity: The
Special and General Theory. (R. W. Lawson, Trans.) New York, New York: Henry
Holt.
Suskind, L. (2008). The Black Hole War: My
Battle with Stephen Hawking to Make the World Safe for Quantum Mechanics. New
York, New York: Little, Brown and Company.
Suskind, L. (2006). The Cosmic Landscape. New York, New York: Backbay
Books.
