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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.04190 |
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| _version_ | 1866913249596801024 |
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| author | Díaz-Pachón, Daniel Andrés Hössjer, Ola Mathew, Calvin |
| author_facet | Díaz-Pachón, Daniel Andrés Hössjer, Ola Mathew, Calvin |
| contents | Fine-tuning studies whether some physical parameters, or relevant ratios between them, are located within so-called life-permitting intervals of small probability outside of which carbon-based life would not be possible. Recent developments have found estimates of these probabilities that circumvent previous concerns of measurability and selection bias. However, the question remains if fine-tuning can indeed be known. Using a mathematization of the epistemological concepts of learning and knowledge acquisition, we argue that most examples that have been touted as fine-tuned cannot be formally assessed as such. Nevertheless, fine-tuning can be known when the physical parameter is seen as a random variable and it is supported in the nonnegative real line, provided the size of the life-permitting interval is small in relation to the observed value of the parameter. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2401_04190 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Is it possible to know cosmological fine-tuning? Díaz-Pachón, Daniel Andrés Hössjer, Ola Mathew, Calvin Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics Information Theory Methodology 85A40 85A40 (Primary) 68T30, 94A15 (Secondary) Fine-tuning studies whether some physical parameters, or relevant ratios between them, are located within so-called life-permitting intervals of small probability outside of which carbon-based life would not be possible. Recent developments have found estimates of these probabilities that circumvent previous concerns of measurability and selection bias. However, the question remains if fine-tuning can indeed be known. Using a mathematization of the epistemological concepts of learning and knowledge acquisition, we argue that most examples that have been touted as fine-tuned cannot be formally assessed as such. Nevertheless, fine-tuning can be known when the physical parameter is seen as a random variable and it is supported in the nonnegative real line, provided the size of the life-permitting interval is small in relation to the observed value of the parameter. |
| title | Is it possible to know cosmological fine-tuning? |
| topic | Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics Information Theory Methodology 85A40 85A40 (Primary) 68T30, 94A15 (Secondary) |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.04190 |