Ep. 92: Fine Tuning Argument

[Mr. Sluagh]

So fine-tuning hinges on the fact that not all basic physical attributes of our universe have yet been derived mathematically, rather than empirically. If those making the argument really understood the issues, I would think they'd spend more energy on the opposite argument, where one uses the kind of logic Christian apologists love to argue that the un-derivable basic axioms of arithmetic must have a divine source in order to exist or in order to be valid, just like the idea that human life has inherent value.

[Dave B]

So fine-tuning hinges on the fact that not all basic physical attributes of our universe have yet been derived mathematically, rather than empirically. If those making the argument really understood the issues, I would think they'd spend more energy on the opposite argument, where one uses the kind of logic Christian apologists love to argue that the un-derivable basic axioms of arithmetic must have a divine source in order to exist or in order to be valid, just like the idea that human life has inherent value.

This is a common variant of the Transcendental Argument (TAG for short). The Atheist Experience has a fairly tedious debate over it between the host Matt Dillahunty and an apologist named Matt Slick which you can find on YouTube or iTunes if you're interested.

You never see apologists discard arguments in favor of better ones because it's important to have a mountain of arguments to point at whenever the particular one they're defending is shown to be false.

[Pseudonym]

So fine-tuning hinges on the fact that not all basic physical attributes of our universe have yet been derived mathematically, rather than empirically.

Not exactly, no. But you're right that it's a God-of-the-gaps argument and, like all God-of-the-gaps arguments, it paints a picture of an extremely small and limited deity.