Interesting quotes
 
 
 

Notes:
 

I. Some important observations

II. Origin of the universe

III. Three Cosmological Parameters

IV. Fine-tuning - the "anthropic coincidences"

 
 

Readings:
 

Required:

 
"God and the astronomers", Robert Jastrow, Chap 4-6

"A case against accident and self organization",  Part V: Case against accident from precision of values in particle astrophysics required for the formation of life, D. Overmann

"The Universe in a Nutshell", transcript of a lecture by Steven Hawking at the Centennial meeting of the American Physical Society, Mar 1999.

Is physics watching over us?  Our universe is so unlikely that we must be missing something.  Phillip Ball, Nature-Science Update  Aug. 13, 2002.  view article

Guth's Grand Guess, Brad Lemley, Discover April 2002, p 33

A Designer Universe?  Steven Weinberg, Skeptical Inquirer, Sept./Oct. 2001, pg 64

"Steven Hawking, the Big Bang, and God", parts I and II, Henry Schaefer III   view article
 
 

Supplemental:

 
"On the Cosmic Horizon:  Ten Great Mysteries for Third Millenium Cosmology", J. Bennett, Mystery 4 - Mystery 1

"Magnificent Universe",  Ken Croswell, Chap 4.

"Rare Earth:  Why complex life is uncommon in the universe", P. Ward and D. Brownlee, Intro - Chap. 3

"Nature's Destiny:  How the laws of biology reveal purpose in the Universe", M. J. Denton, Prologue, Chap.1-6

"Show me God", F. Heeren, Chap 6

"Our tailor-made universe', Nancy Pearcey   view article
 

 
 
 

Video and audio lectures:
 

Video lecture by Walter Bradley "Creation of the Cosmos:  Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design",
Univ. Calif. Santa Barabara

Video:  Scientific evidence for God?  Brief interviews with cosmologists

Video lecture by Alan Guth, "Nature of Nature" conference, Baylor University, April 2000

Video clip on extent of the Universe:

Audio lecture by William Lane Craig, "The Fine-Tuning of the Universe and Cosmic Design", Yale University,     Nov. 2000.
 
 
 

Discussion questions