Cosmological Natural Selection - S2:E14

Author: Aaron Zimmer and Elie Feder
Published: Sun 23 Feb 2025
Episode Link: https://www.physicstogod.com/

Biologist Richard Dawkins, in his book, The Blind Watchmaker, wrote the following:

The theory of evolution by cumulative natural selection is the only theory we know of that is, in principle, capable of explaining the existence of organized complexity. Even if the evidence did not favour it, it would still be the best theory available.

In this episode, we discuss physicist Lee Smolin’s attempt to extend natural selection from biology and apply it to the cosmos as a whole in order to explain fine tuning in physics. We start by discussing black holes and baby universes and end with what Smolin calls the meta-laws dilemma.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Opening

1:35 - Alternative Theories

4:00 - Biological and Cosmological Natural Selection

7:51 - The Three Premises of Cosmological Natural Selection

16:05 - Not a Genuine Multiverse

18:34 - Problems With All Three Premises

24:12 - Smolin’s False Prediction

25:53 - The Fine Tuned Meta-Law

28:54 - Summary of Problems with Cosmological Natural Selection

30:39 - The Meta-law Dilemma

Get essay versions of all episodes in Season 1: Intelligent Cause and Season 2: Analyzing & Rejecting Multiverse