Quote (mRIUV @ Thu, Aug 27 2009, 04:10pm)
There are close to an infinite amount of spheres flying through the universe, many of them revolving around other spheres. So many possibilities for life, and currently we know only one single planet on which life has occurred. So, assuming this, the chance to have life on a planet is (1)/(close to infinite). That's close to zero. Exactly the chance which you would have given it.
And about the whole recycling thing: That is not coincidentally. Life has evolved influenced by the way oxygen and water and everything works. If these chemical processes would have been different, life would have evolved differently as well. That's just the way it goes; once life is actually possible, the organisms will adept to their environment.
very good points here, probably the best post in this thread.
well, i suppose the first facts tell us how special this little nook in our galaxy is, if not by location, then by this infinitesimal point in time, plus the location. but even if there are only two civilizations existing now in our galaxy it wouldn't disprove either of our stances. just our existence alone gives a certain amount of reason to the universe.
your second issue, though well supported, is still subjective. a person could examine all of his life's experiences, and be convinced that the only reason he's able to live is by design. he could be wrong, i admit, but who knows. what we do know is that everything pertaining to life on earth operates on purpose. the reason we wake in the morning is to start our day. the reason we have kids is to repopulate, and grow our family. even plants and animals; they all got a purpose. what's hard for me to believe is that the universe's creation is baseless and random, while all sorts of reasons exists within it. and now if there is even a small amount of purpose for the universe's existence, then you can assume that it exists by intention.