anthropic principle

noun

: either of two principles in cosmology:

a

: conditions that are observed in the universe must allow the observer to exist

called also weak anthropic principle

b

: the universe must have properties that make inevitable the existence of intelligent life

called also strong anthropic principle

Examples of anthropic principle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s the essence of the anthropic principle. —Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2018

The anthropic principle doesn’t answer this. —Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2018

Ambitious approaches to contemporary cosmological questions, such as quantum cosmology, the multiverse, and the anthropic principle, have not yet been developed into mature scientific theories. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2011

One of the most prominent—and, by some, most hated—solutions to the cosmological constant problem is called the anthropic principle. —Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2021

This is called the anthropic principle, the idea that humans can only have evolved in a universe with fundamental constants that allow this evolution. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2023

Theories of Eternal Inflation (EI) have to rely too heavily on the anthropic principle to be consistent with experiment. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2012

For those of you how prefer a little provocation, Martin Rees picks the anthropic principle. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2012

Carter’s observation that our universe is finely tuned for the emergence of life has been called the anthropic principle. —Alan Lightman, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anthropic principle

• principal