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The anthropic principle and the structure of the physical world

Nature volume 278, pages 605–612 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

The basic features of galaxies, stars, planets and the everyday world are essentially determined by a few microphysical constants and by the effects of gravitation. Many interrelations between different scales that at first sight seem surprising are straightforward consequences of simple physical arguments. But several aspects of our Universe—some of which seem to be prerequisites for the evolution of any form of life—depend rather delicately on apparent ‘coincidences’ among the physical constants.

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Author notes

  1. B. J. Carr

    Present address: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91109

Affiliations

  1. Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge, UK

    B. J. Carr & M. J. Rees

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  1. B. J. Carr
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  2. M. J. Rees
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Carr, B., Rees, M. The anthropic principle and the structure of the physical world. Nature 278, 605–612 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/278605a0

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