Fine Tuning - Fundamental Constants

If the cosmological constant had been slightly larger, no stars or planets would form. If the strong nuclear force had been slightly stronger, almost all hydrogen would have been burned in the very early universe. If the strong nuclear force had been slightly weaker, few elements beyond hydrogen would have formed. If the difference between the masses of the up and down quarks was slightly altered, the stability of protons and neutrons would be affected. There are many other such examples. The laws of physics as we presently understand them contain a number of constants in the equations. If these constants had taken even slightly different values, then it would not be possible for life to exist. If there was only one universe and the values of these constants were chosen randomly, then it is extraordinarily unlikely that life would exist. On the other hand, if there is a multiverse with different constants in different universes, then it's far more likely that there would be at least some universes allowing life to exist. The idea that we should prefer the theory with the fewest assumptions is called AAM's razor. If we take AAM's razor seriously, then doesn't this disfavor believing in any type of multiverse? Wouldn't it involve fewer assumptions for only one universe to exist? Well, it depends on how we count the number of assumptions. Arguably, one way to assumptions is by counting how many bits of information we need to provide to specify the theory. Consider the following two statements about a set of numbers. Statement one, this set consists of all positive real numbers. Statement two, this set consists of only one number and this number is the following specified to 100 decimal points. Making the second statement requires providing far more bits of information and hence it arguably contains a greater number of assumptions. In our present theory involving only one universe, we need to assume the specific values of many constants in the laws of physics to many decimal points. In a multiverse, we do not. There is of course another point of view. This is the view that the universe was created by God and that God deliberately turned the constants in the laws of physics to ensure that life would exist.