Study: Why Are the Laws of Physics “So Well Suited to Life”?

The summary of the article explains the new study this way:

Scientists have discovered that the universe’s fundamental physical constants may be finely balanced to make life possible. Even tiny changes to these constants could make liquids too thick or too thin for essential biological processes, potentially preventing life as we know it. Surprisingly, these life-friendly conditions existed billions of years before living cells appeared. The findings raise intriguing questions about why the laws of physics seem so well suited to life. (emphasis added)

In other words, this new theoretical study adds another constraint to the long list of conditions that must be just right for the supposed origin of life. If the fundamental constants of physics were slightly different, liquids (water, blood, etc.) would be either too thin or too thick for life to exist. The article says,

Scientists have uncovered a remarkable connection between the fundamental laws of physics and the ability of life to exist. Their findings suggest that even relatively small changes to some of the universe’s most basic physical constants could dramatically alter how liquids flow, potentially preventing essential biological processes from taking place.

So even if the universe somehow managed (by dumb luck, as the late Dr. David Menton would say) to assemble all the ingredients necessary for life, without the ability for liquids to move as they do, life would be impossible. And for these researchers, that raises a question:

The work raises a profound question about the universe. Why do the fundamental laws of nature have values that appear so well suited to the existence of life?

When these researchers study the laws that allow life to exist, they are driven to ask why everything seems so suited for life! It’s Romans 1:19–21 on clear display:

Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.

The fine-tuning of the universe makes it abundantly obvious that earth was created for life.

The fine-tuning of the universe makes it abundantly obvious that earth was created for life. The complexity of life, and the way everything appears designed for life to flourish here on earth, is a giant fingerprint of the Creator. Those who fail to see God through what He has made are therefore without excuse—they are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

The universe looks designed for life because it is!

And not only does the universe look designed for life, but the very laws that allow everything to exist—the laws of nature and physics mentioned throughout the ScienceDaily article—are immaterial. How do immaterial laws of nature even evolve in a material universe? How do they come about and why do they remain constant and apply to everything, everywhere in a random, chance universe? Apart from the God of the Bible, it’s impossible to even explain the existence of these laws—let alone why they are so perfect for the flourishing of life!

Whether they realize it or not, by doing this study these researchers are just confirming the truth of God’s Word. God has made it evident to all that He exists. The question is, are you suppressing that knowledge because of your sinful heart?

To believe the universe and life came about by chance is a blind-faith belief that, to put it bluntly, is absurd!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.