Life, the universe and the Goldilocks Enigma

MICHAEL O’DRISCOLL (Letters, October 3) makes the mistake common to many religious apologists regarding the anthropic principle.

He is correct in saying there appears to be many unlikely coincidences that must all fall into place for the universe to support life as we know it. This is often referred to as the Goldilocks Enigma which, like her porridge, is neither too hot nor too cold.

Equally, our universe is just right. Scientists estimate at least 30 of these conditions, none of which, by the way, is related to the ability of the earth to sustain life, as Mr O’Driscoll claims.