Science Answers Life's Questions

In chapter 3, Stokes takes a look at how science came to pre-eminence, especially as it has replaced God - at least as some people believe. Science has moved into the realm of philosophy (without admitting it) as its adherents have attempted to answer fundamental questions about life:

• Why is there something rather than nothing?
• Why do we exist?
• Why this particular set of laws and not some others?

Stokes turns to Stephen Hawking, as he has been one of the most outspoken critics of God. In his book, The Grand Design, Hawking demonstrates that there is no need for God to answer these questions. Hawking relies on M-theory, a sophisticated theory in physics, that is "a candidate for the ultimate theory of everything." One of the foundational concepts of this theory is that there are multiple universes (10 to the 500 power) that are completely separate from one another and originated "naturally from physical law." This law tell us or inform us that "quantum fluctuations lead to the creation of tiny universes out of nothing." In other words, the physical law that we have come to understand allows for or explains how universes can come from nothing. Hawking writes: "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist." The fact of the availability of spontaneous creation means the universe(s) did not need a creator. So this is why "there is something rather than nothing."

Now, how does the multiverse address the second question about why we exist? According to Hawking, the answer lies in physics. The laws of physics govern all the fundamental components out of which the universe is made. Without the laws of physics, the conditions for life involving chemical and biological processes, would not exist. To answer the question then: We exist because the laws of physics make life possible. Stokes summarizes Hawkings position: "...although the more proximate cause of humans is the process of evolution...the more remote explanation is that the laws of physics are conducive to the appearance of life." In addition:

The multiverse, says Hawking, is an all-natural way to tame the staggering improbabilities associated with the universe coming to life. Out of so many universes, one of them was sure to produce life from dead matter. And, of course, it was ours....

Bottom life: we exists because statistically it was inevitable.

Finally, we look at why this particular set of laws and not some others. Well, we already answered this: "The proliferation of universes makes universes and their laws a dime a dozen, greatly increasing the odds that at least some universe or other will have these [life-conducive] laws." Again, we have these laws and not some others because statistically it was inevitable.

This is generally where the atheistic scientists stand vis-a-vis these questions. But if we take the stance of a "sober skeptic" we should have more questions. And as "sober skeptics" themselves, these scientists should want more as well.