James Le Fanu: Why Us? (The limitations of science)

by George Jelliss , Crewe, Saturday, July 04, 2009, 16:44 (5619 days ago) @ David Turell

DT writes: "Now, if life is common through the universe that would be evidence for atheism, as it would tell us that origin of life is an easy step." - I don't see what this has to do with either atheism or theism. One can argue that if there was a God and he wanted life to evolve surely he would have made it easy for it to evolve, so it would be everywhere. On the other hand I suppose he might have reasons for wanting life to appear only in one specific place - so that he could keep an eye on it, and destroy it if it doesn't come up to his expectations? One can invent endless scenarios. - According to my brand of atheism, life is just an accident in the universe. This sems to me to fit with all the facts we know, and is the simplest explanation. How improbable an accident it might be is difficult to estimate. I don't think it is so impossibly improbable as to make it a miracle that requires divine assistance. However, DT seems to be trying as hard as he can, via "rare earth" and "complex chemistry" claims, to find evidence to suggest it is that improbable.

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GPJ