Fine-Tuning Explanation

Roberto Fumagalli is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at King’s College London. Some months ago, he wrote an article in the Journal for General Philosophy of Science arguing that the fine-tuning of the laws and constants of our universe that makes life possible is real and requires a non-chance-based explanation. In other words, chance is not an adequate fine-tuning explanation for the existence of life. We have argued before that the universe is fine-tuned for intelligent life.

Fumagalli summarizes his argument as follows:

1- The universe is fine-tuned for intelligent life.

2- The probability of fine-tuning is not consistent with chance.

3- Therefore, fine-tuning calls for a non-chance-based explanation.

Scientists widely acknowledge that there is at least some fine-tuning of the parameters and laws of the universe and that it is not trivial. However, some critics seek to cast doubt on the need for fine-tuning, saying that we don’t know what other forms of advanced life might be possible. In other words, we only know of carbon-based life, but some suggest there may be other forms in which intelligent life could flourish. However, only very specific combinations of parameter values would permit the chemical complexity required for intelligent life. Therefore, the fine-tuning explanation does not support the possibility that chance is the cause.

The values of at least some of the fundamental parameters of the universe are very unlikely to fall within the range that permits intelligent life. Only an exceedingly narrow range of parameter values would allow life, especially advanced intelligent life. So, what are the possible fine-tuning explanations for the laws of physics and the relationships between the various forces?

One explanation is chance, but that does not seem very plausible. Another explanation is the multiple-universe theory proposed by some scientists. That would require a multitude of universes with different parameters, and we just happen to be the lucky ones in the one universe that allows life to exist. That is not a scientifically testable hypothesis, and it would require a fine-tuned, multi-universe-generating device. Another possibility is some unknown physics that scientists have not yet discovered, but that would also have to be fine-tuned.

The one fine-tuning explanation that seems by far the most acceptable, the most supportive of the evidence, is that our universe is the product of cosmic design by an infinite intelligence, namely the God of the Bible.

— Roland Earnst © 2026

Reference: scienceandculture.com