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SRSP 16-19 Topic 4 Unit 1b – The Anthropic Principle

SRSP 16-19 Topic 4 Unit 1b – The Anthropic Principle

This unit aims to help students understand some of the arguments concerning the design of the universe and the possibility of this having been the result of a deliberate creation by a designer God.

They will look at the nature of the anthropic principle and the weak and strong anthropic arguments. These will be compared to the scientific process of looking for causality. There will be opportunities to apply these principles to different scenarios through a role play game. One lesson considers the possibility of extra-terrestrial intelligence and its implications for theological doctrines.

This unit consists of 3 lessons and is suitable for students aged from 16 to 19 years

Key Questions

Is the universe as we know it the result of the actions of a designer God?
Does the nature of the universe inevitably lead to the existence of intelligent life?
Is the search for causal explanation the only way to carry out valid research?
How convincing is the evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence?
Can we still believe in God if there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?

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