A case against accident and self-organization

In this illuminating book, Dean L. Overman uses logical principles and mathematical calculations to answer the questions that have long perplexed biologists and astrophysicists: Is it mathematically possible that accidental processes caused the formation of the first form of living matter from non-living matter? Could accidental processes have caused the formation of a universe compatible with life? Are current self-organization scenarios for the formation of the first living matter plausible? Overman reviews the influence of metaphysical assumptions in logical analysis, and discusses the principles of logic applicable to these questions, examining the limitations of verbal and mathematical logic. He proceeds to demonstrate that it is mathematically impossible that accidental processes produced the first living matter. The author also examines other issues related to the creation of the universe, including Stephen Hawking's no boundary proposal, the need for a Creator as the preserving cause of the universe, and the explanations offered by the weak and strong anthropic principles. Acclaimed by theologians and scientists alike as well-argued, coherent, and persuasive, A Case Against Accicdent and Self-Organization is a fascinating study of the origins of life and our universe.

Author Notes

Dean L. Overman is a senior partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Winston and Strawn, a large international law firm.

Foreword	p. xiii
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Preface	p. xvii
Powers of Ten	p. xix
Part I Introduction	p. 1
Part II Verbal and Mathematical Logic Relating to Questions Presented	p. 3
2.1. Influence of metaphysical assumptions	p. 3
2.2. Thoughts as products of accidents	p. 4
2.3. Valid and false reasoning	p. 5
2.3.1. Valid and invalid syllogisms	p. 5
2.3.2. Extrapolations from a small amount of data	p. 7
2.3.3. Inconsistencies within the context of terms	p. 9
2.3.4. Hidden assumptions and contrivances in mathematics	p. 11
2.3.5. Circular reasoning	p. 17
2.3.6. Failure to confirm hypothesis and assumed validity of alternate explanation	p. 20
2.3.7. Confusing sequence with cause	p. 21
2.3.8. Modification of question presented	p. 22
2.4. Limits on logic: lawyers, liars, and Godel's Incompleteness Theorem in mathematics	p. 23
2.5. Uncertainty in quantum mechanics	p. 29
Part III Case Against Accident from Mathematical Probabilities in Molecular Biology	p. 31
3.1. Definition of life	p. 31
3.2. DNA, RNA, protein synthesis and the genetic code	p. 34
3.3. Theory of the emergence of life from accidental or chance processes	p. 38
3.4. Facticious flaws in the Miller and Urey line of experiments	p. 41
3.4.1. Less reducing atmosphere of early earth	p. 41
3.4.2. Inefficacy of random distribution of left and right handed molecules as building blocks for life	p. 44
3.4.3. Dilution processes in the prebiotic soup and the prevention of formation of polypeptides	p. 44
3.4.4. Factor of facticious manipulation of researcher	p. 48
3.5. Limited time available for formation of life from accidental or chance processes	p. 49
3.6. Calculating mathematical probabilities of accidental or chance events	p. 51
3.7. Mathematical probability of random protein/enzyme and bacterium formation	p. 58
3.7.1. Calculations of Sir Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe for random generation of a simple enzyme and calculations for a single celled bacterium	p. 58
3.7.2. Calculations of Hubert Yockey for random generation of a single molecule of iso-1-cytochrome c protein	p. 60
3.7.3. Calculations of Bradley and Thaxton for random production of a single protein	p. 62
3.7.4. Calculations of Harold Morowitz for single celled bacterium developing from accidental or chance processes	p. 63
3.7.5. Calculations of Bernd-Olaf Kuppers for the random generation of the sequence of a bacterium	p. 64
3.8. Additional challenges from complexity	p. 65
Part IV The Problem of Complexity: The Generation of Sufficient Information Content	p. 69
4.1. Absence of plausible method of generating sufficient information content into inorganic matter even in a system far from equilibrium	p. 69
4.1.1. Insufficiency of energy flow alone to generate adequate information content	p. 69
4.1.2. The improbability of RNA as a catalyst for the origin of life	p. 71
4.1.3. Other theories of self-organization in nonequilibrium systems	p. 73
4.1.3.1. Order without specified complexity	p. 75
4.1.3.2. Silicate crystals: self-replication without specified complexity	p. 77
4.1.3.3. Deep sea hydrothermal vents	p. 79
4.1.3.4. Metabolism recapitulating biogenesis	p. 82
4.1.3.5. Complexity on the edge of chaos	p. 89
4.1.4. ALH84001	p. 92
4.2. Present absence of a plausible scientific theory for generating information content into inert matter	p. 101
Part V Case Against Accident from Precision of Values in Particle Astrophysics Required for the Formation of Life	p. 103
5.1. Background foundation for discussion of precision of values in particle astrophysics	p. 104
5.1.1. Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the universe	p. 104
5.1.2. The Big Bang theory	p. 106
5.1.3. Blackbody radiation evidence for the Big Bang	p. 108
5.1.4. The singularity ad initium and the singularities of black holes	p. 109
5.1.5. The four fundamental forces, quantum particle structure and grand unified theories	p. 112
5.1.5.1. Four fundamental forces	p. 112
5.1.5.2. Theory of quantum particle structure and quantum chromodynamics	p. 113
5.1.5.2.1. Overview	p. 113
5.1.5.2.2. Antiparticles	p. 114
5.1.5.2.3. Analogies between atomic and subatomic world	p. 115
5.1.5.2.4. Leptons	p. 116
5.1.5.2.5. Quarks	p. 117
5.1.5.2.6. Dimensionless features of quarks and leptons, the singularity, and the excess of particles over antiparticles	p. 118
5.1.5.3. Grand unified extra dimensional theories	p. 119
5.1.5.3.1. Guts and strings	p. 119
5.1.5.3.2. Symmetry and Kaluza-Klein extra dimensional theories	p. 119
5.1.5.3.3. Supersymmetry and supergravity theories	p. 120
5.1.5.3.4. String theories	p. 121
5.1.6. Particle and fundamental force activity in the early universe	p. 124
5.2. Examples of precision of values in particle astrophysics necessary for life	p. 127
5.2.1. Resonance precision required for existence of carbon, a necessary element for life	p. 128
5.2.2. Explosive power of Big Bang precisely matched to power of gravity; density precisely matched with critical density	p. 130
5.2.3. Delicate balance in strong nuclear force	p. 132
5.2.4. Balancing of gravitational force and electromagnetic force	p. 134
5.2.5. Meticulous balance between number of electrons and protons	p. 136
5.2.6. Precision in electromagnetic force and ratio of proton mass to electron mass and neutron mass to proton mass	p. 136
5.2.7. Big Bang's defiance of Second Law of Thermodynamics and gravity's cumulative effect	p. 138
5.2.8. Delicate balance of values related to weak nuclear force	p. 140
5.2.9. Precision in the number of dimensions	p. 142
5.2.10. Fine tuning in masses of particles, fundamental values and existence of unchanging types of particles required for DNA	p. 142
5.2.11. Precision in the agreement between abstract mathematics and the laws of the physical world	p. 143
5.2.12. Conclusion: abundance of evidence from precision of values against accidental formation of a universe compossible with life	p. 149
5.3. Speculations to avoid a beginning out of true nothingness	p. 150
5.3.1. Conjecture of an oscillating universe	p. 151
5.3.2. Conjectures of quantum fluctuations, wave functions and no boundaries	p. 152
5.3.2.1. The curtain at Planck time	p. 152
5.3.2.2. Quantum fluctuations	p. 154
5.3.2.3. Wave function and the no boundary proposal	p. 159
5.3.2.4. Hawking's question and the need of a creator as causa essendi	p. 163
5.3.2.5. The no boundary proposal and the Second Law of Thermodynamics	p. 168
5.4. Weak and strong anthropic principles	p. 172
Part VI Ethical Implications of Chance or Impersonal Beginning	p. 177
Part VII Summary and Conclusion	p. 181
7.1. Questions presented	p. 181
7.2. Case against accident from probabilities in molecular biology	p. 182
7.3. Self-organization scenarios and the problem of complexity: the generation of information content	p. 184
7.4. ALH84001	p. 187
7.5. The necessary bridge	p. 187
7.6. Case against accident from probabilities related to precision of values in particle astrophysics	p. 188
Appendix Some Important Physical Values	p. 199
Notes	p. 201
Selected Bibliography	p. 227
Index	p. 237
About the Author	p. 245

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