Weekly "Ask an Atheist" Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

Whether you're an agnostic atheist here to ask a gnostic one some questions, a theist who's curious about the viewpoints of atheists, someone doubting, or just someone looking for sources, feel free to ask anything here. This is also an ideal place to tag moderators for thoughts regarding the sub or any questions in general.

While this isn't strictly for debate, rules on civility, trolling, etc. still apply.

[u/sierraoccidentalis]

Life is found on such an infinitesimally small scale in the Universe.

The density parameter has a narrow range allowing for possible formation of astrophysical structures like stars. Vast uninhabitable vacuum is required for the formation of the dense matter structures that allow complex biochemistry.

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

Which doesn't sound like intelligent design.

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

Why not?

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

Does poor design suit you better?

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

That would imply there are other physical equations that would permit life and not require uninhabitable vacuum. I'm not aware of any. Are you?

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

Can the designer not design the physical equations anyway they want? Does this designer have limits for what they can do when making Universes and the life contained within? Can you even be sure that we are the purpose this designer set out to create using such an inefficient method?

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

The nature of physical law would suggest constraints of logic and validity in mathematical relationships. If there's no awareness of any other equations fitting your definition of good design, then there doesn't seem to be much support for a belief that the design could be much better.

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

But you have no knowledge of the effects of any variations of the equations and what effects they would produce, you're just assuming this is the best way because that's the rationality that supports there being a designer.

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

Yes, that would imply there's no knowledge or evidence-based reason to believe there's a better design. If you believe there's a better way, the burden of proof lies with you.

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

Considering I don't believe there is any design, I don't have any claims I'm making. I'm just questioning your suggestions. The burden of proof lies with you to show design. Otherwise there is no reason to believe that the natural state of the Universe is designed or created. And your suggestions don't have any real substance beyond the inherent incredulity of ID.

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

You're no longer making a claim that there are better designs?

[u/pyker42 → u/sierraoccidentalis]

There never was a claim being made. I asked how you knew what all the different possibilities were to arrive at your conclusion, and instead of answering honestly, you asked for evidence of a claim. So now I'm asking for yours, since you're the only one making any claims here.

[u/sierraoccidentalis → u/pyker42]

Can you verbatim quote the claims you think I've made that are unsupported?