Anthropic selection
Several explanations have been offered that rely on (weak) anthropic selection to explain the low entropy past. They all note that conscious observers can only exist in an environment far from thermodynamic equilibrium, but differ on how the we came to be in such a state.


The explanation has two xxcomponents:
  1. The existence of conscious observers requires an environment far from thermodynamic equilibrium - there is not much action in the heat death posited by cosmologists as the final destination of cosmic evolution - the highest entropy (equilibrium) state of the universe.
  2. The availability of a process whereby the universe can fluctuate from equilibrium - however rarely.
Given their low probability substantial deviations from thermodynamic equilibrium will be extremely rare. But given enough time, or an expansive enough space of possibilities, the occurrence of observers in such spaces is highly probable if not inevitable (if the space is infinite). This class of explanation is compatible with the multiverse as a whole being close to thermodynamic equilibrium, but sustaining occasional pockets or domains that deviate significantly from equilibrium.

Several versions of the anthropic principle have been identified (weak, strong, participatory). The version being appealed to here is the Weak Anthropic Principle, described by Barrow and Tipler (see citation) in these terms: "The observed values of all physical and cosmological quantities are not equally probable, but they take on values restricted by the requirement that there exist sites where carbon-based life can evolve and by the requirement that the universe be old enough for it to have already done so."

Two Component elements have been added to this node corresponding to the parts of the explanation above.
Immediately related elementsHow this works
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The Arrow of Time  »The Arrow of Time 
The physics of time »The physics of time
The thermodynamic arrow »The thermodynamic arrow
Why do we see an entropy gradient? »Why do we see an entropy gradient?
Asymmetric boundary condition »Asymmetric boundary condition
Past hypothesis »Past hypothesis
Why low entropy in the past? »Why low entropy in the past?
Anthropic selection
Conscious observer requirement  »Conscious observer requirement
Low entropy generators »Low entropy generators
Ontological cost »Ontological cost
Weak Anthropic Principle is tautological »Weak Anthropic Principle is tautological
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