About the Universe that may not exist.
The eminent physicist Charles H. Bennett is reflecting on life in the universe. It is possible, says Bennett, that we live in the best of worlds. If, on the other hand, earthquakes, pestilence, and wars seem to us proof of the absurdity of existence, we are mistaken. Behind every misfortune there is a rationale, an unguessed divine intention. This, more or less, is how the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz saw the world. In his view, the universe, like a magnificent instrument, was perfectly tuned to the needs of intelligent life, of us grateful observers.
