anthropic principle

== English == === Noun === anthropic principle (plural anthropic principles) Any of several similar explanations for the nature of the universe, and for the values of its fundamental constants, that states either that the universe is as it is because otherwise we wouldn't be here to observe it, or that the very presence of intelligent life constrains the universe to be as it is. 1997 Virginia Trimble - Cosmology: Where in the $&#** - Beam Line: Fall 1997 A remarkably delicate balance between the small scale phenomena of atomic and nuclear physics and the large scale phenomena of astronomy and cosmology is required for the Universe to be hospitable to chemically based life. Efforts to prove that this must be so are sometimes dignified by the name "anthropic principle." ==== Derived terms ==== strong anthropic principle weak anthropic principle ==== Translations ==== === See also === fine-tuned universe Goldilocks principle Category:Physics