The Existence of Regularities
In An Apparently ‘Random’ Universe
Origins of Universal Regularities
One of the tragedies we face in the modern era is that we have stopped thinking about the fundamental questions that relate to our very existence.
As human beings, among the fundamental questions that should engage our minds are: 'Why do regularities exist in this universe of ours?', and, 'Why should there be consistent patterns and behaviours in a universe that is so often characterised as random and irregular?' Our observing of patterns and regularities throughout the cosmos ought to compel us to ponder their origins.
Consider this: If everything in the universe were random, as it is claimed, would there be any regularity, and hence predictability, at all? The answer to this, as we know, is a resounding no, as we can appreciate that predictability does exist within the universe. From the movements of the sun and other stars to the cycles in the natural world, wherever we look, we observe phenomena that are invariably defined by patterns and regularities that generate predictability.
The Foundation of Scientific Inquiry
Even the very premise of scientific inquiry, upon which the emerging ideology of ‘the random universe’ relies, exists only upon the robust underpinning of predictable regularities. Progress in science is predicated on the assumption that natural laws and phenomena are consistent and repeatable. The absence of such regularities renders the scientific methodology totally ineffective, as the reproducibility of experiments and observations would not be possible otherwise.
Without these regularities, making any meaningful progress in any field of activity would be inconceivable. How would any achievement be possible without coherence and logic in any field of operation? In such an incoherent and unpredictable world, any experiment conducted might produce a particular result one day and a completely different one the next.
Moreover, rather than being a remote irrelevant phenomenon, isolated from our day-to-day interactions, these regularities form the essence of the universe and underpin our very existence.
And it is this consistency that allows us to progress and advance in the various fields of knowledge and activity. This then tells us that these principles are certainly not arbitrary, but rather exhibit a fundamental order that has to be intended.
The Source of Universal Order
Having acknowledged that regularities exist and play a vital role in our universe, the next important question to address is: where do these regularities come from?
It is insufficient to assume they have appeared suddenly without any cause. If a random, irregular entity or force demands an explanation for its existence, then surely the emergence of a coherent, logical, and regulated system requires even more substantial justification. The existence of a regulated entity or force actually suggests a deeper underlying principle and cause.
The position that regularities are simply a result of the natural properties of the universe, operating independent of any external influence, does not appeal to logic or science, as the universe’s coherence and predictability cannot merely be coincidental but indicates an underlying purpose or design, pointing to a higher form of intelligence.
Regularity and Intent
Imagine you see a person arriving at a specific place at the exact same time every day without fail. Would you not infer from this level of order, predictability, and precision of destination that there is a conscious intent behind this behaviour? Can such predictability arise from randomness? Rather, does this behaviour of this person not imply a deliberate effort to adhere to a schedule, reflecting the individual's intent and planning?
Similarly, the consistent regularities observed in the natural world – such as the precise movements of celestial bodies or the predictable cycles in nature – suggest an underlying order and purpose, pointing to a higher intelligence rather than mere chance.
The Nomological Argument
The Nomological Argument – propounded by Hildebrand and Metcalf1 – is a philosophical argument that suggests that order and regularity observed in the natural world can only be traced to a Higher power. It posits that the consistent laws and patterns in the universe suggest an underlying rational principle or designer, who intentionally created and sustains this order.
Citing the distinction between Humeanism2 and Divine Voluntarism3, the advocates for this position argue that the regularity and order found in the universe cannot be explained solely by natural causes or pure chance; there has to be an underlying explanation for this order. They conclude that the existence of God provides the best explanation for this. God's will has to be responsible for this regularity and order. God, being a rational being, has to have intentionally designed the universe in a way that allows for predictability and scientific inquiry.
Hildebrand and Metcalf draw an analogy between the regularities in nature and the fairness of a poker game to illustrate their point about intelligent design.
Imagine you are playing poker, and in several consecutive games, one player keeps getting royal flushes, which are extremely rare. If this improbable sequence continues, you might start to suspect that the game is rigged rather than the cards being fairly shuffled. This suspicion arises because the odds of such a consistent pattern occurring by chance are incredibly low.
Similarly, Hildebrand and Metcalf argue that the consistent and sophisticated regularities we observe in nature – such as the precise laws of physics, the complex yet orderly structures of biological organisms, and the predictable patterns in the cosmos – are unlikely to result from random chance. Instead, these patterns suggest the presence of an intelligent designer who has arranged the universe with purpose and intention. Just as the repeated royal flushes imply cheating in a poker game, the regularities in nature imply a higher intelligence behind their existence.
Final Thoughts
The presence of regularities within our universe, from the predictable movements of celestial bodies to the consistency observed in scientific experimentation, highlights a fundamental aspect of existence that transcends mere chance. These patterns are not just anomalies in an otherwise chaotic cosmos but rather suggest an underlying order that points to a deeper principle or intelligence. The Nomological Argument strengthens the notion that such regularities are indicative of an intentional design. As we continue to explore and understand the universe, acknowledging the possibility, or rather the certainty, of a purposeful framework behind its order can enrich our perspective and deepen our understanding into the nature of existence itself.
Tyler Hildebrand & Thomas Metcalf
Humeanism claims that patterns in nature occur without any reason and any deeper metaphysical explanation.
Divine Voluntarism posits an intelligent being intentionally controlling properties of nature.
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