---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The claim of fine tuning is subjective…"
description: "\"“The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated before, no measurement in physics is perfect. The amount of precision we demand can be increased o..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg"
---

#  The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated…

![“The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated before, no measurement in physics is perfect. The amount of precision we demand can be increased or decreased at our whim. We could have an approximate measurement that has a huge margin of error and call it finely-tuned if we so desire. Theists…” quote by G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg)

> ““The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated before, no measurement in physics is perfect. The amount of precision we demand can be increased or decreased at our whim. We could have an approximate measurement that has a huge margin of error and call it finely-tuned if we so desire. Theists, in particular, have a lot of such desire. They so badly want God to be an indispensable part of our universe's creation, so they see finely-tuned constants. They also tend to sweep under the rug the following fact: the vast majority of our universe is hostile to life, and they fail to consider that another hand in the proverbial deck might yield a better universe than ours, one teaming with life on every planet throughout the cosmos.””

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fine‑tuning arguments are subjective because measurement precision is adjustable; claims of a life‑friendly universe depend on arbitrary thresholds and ignore the vast hostile regions.

**In simple terms:** Subjectivity of fine‑tuning claims

Key Takeaway

Precision choices shape perceived design

Themes

philosophy of science cosmology anthropic principle epistemology theology measurement theory

Mood

skeptical critical inquisitive

Type

analytical critical

When to use this quote

- debating cosmological constants
- critiquing theological arguments
- explaining why most of space is barren
- considering alternative universes

Key Concepts

fine‑tuning measurement error life‑friendly conditions theistic bias

Practical Applications

- philosophical essays
- science communication

Questions to Reflect On

- How does measurement precision affect our interpretation of natural phenomena?
- What criteria would make a universe truly hospitable?

A Different Perspective

Some physicists argue that observed constants are statistically unlikely without a designer, suggesting fine‑tuning is not merely subjective.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist-argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist-argument/) [Fine tuning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-tuning/)

## Related quotes

> [“According to the anthropic principle proponents, if the universal constants (e.g. gravitation, the strong force, etc.) were just a nose-hair off, the universe as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/according-to-the-anthropic-principle-proponents-if-the-universal/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“What I should have said is that he thinks that there is a conflict between evolutionary biology and theism. Dennett thinks that evolutionary theory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-sober/what-i-should-have-said-is-that-he-thinks-that-there-is-a-conflict/)

[Elliott Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-sober/)

## More by G.M. Jackson

> [“A theist can't empirically prove that God exists but he believes in God because no one can allegedly disprove God's existence. By his logic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/a-theist-can-t-empirically-prove-that-god-exists-but-he-believes-in/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“BioLogos claims there is no conflict between the theory of evolution and creationism. Huh? Here is where the creationists seem to have the intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/biologos-claims-there-is-no-conflict-between-the-theory-of-evolution/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“Science could potentially do a better job explaining the meaning of life if scientists devise experiments that can weed out the best answers from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/science-could-potentially-do-a-better-job-explaining-the-meaning-of/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“According to the anthropic principle proponents, if the universal constants (e.g. gravitation, the strong force, etc.) were just a nose-hair off, the universe as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/according-to-the-anthropic-principle-proponents-if-the-universal/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“Toward the end of his book, Miller explains his need to unite science and religion: science does not explain the meaning and purpose of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/toward-the-end-of-his-book-miller-explains-his-need-to-unite-science/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“Many Christians, including BioLogos, like to throw out the "you can't take the Bible literally" argument. They think it is the ultimate zinger that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/many-christians-including-biologos-like-to-throw-out-the-you-can-t/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“God did not create evolution--evolution created God. The evolution of religion is as follows: animism--polytheism--monotheism--agnosticism--atheism. As history progresses, people worship fewer and fewer gods,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/god-did-not-create-evolution-evolution-created-god-the-evolution-of/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [“Every time we prove a positive, we simultaneously prove an infinite number of negatives. Therefore, it is erroneous to declare that we can't prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/every-time-we-prove-a-positive-we-simultaneously-prove-an-infinite/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [ “According to Mark 11:12-13, God's messengers were not the only ones who were incompetent: 'He \[Jesus\] was hungry. And on seeing in the distance… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/according-to-mark-11-12-13-god-s-messengers-were-not-the-only-ones/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

> [ “Miller believes, like many theists, that religion brings us beyond the bounds of materialism. (Ironically he insists on a material explanation \[evolution\] for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/miller-believes-like-many-theists-that-religion-brings-us-beyond-the/)

[G.M. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

[Explore all 11 G.M. Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/)

## More Atheism quotes

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/)

[Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/)

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

> [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

> [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/)

[Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/)

> [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/)

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/)

> [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

[Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated before, no measurement in physics is perfect. The amount of precision we demand can be increased or decreased at our whim. We could have an approximate measurement that has a huge margin of error and call it finely-tuned if we so desire. Theists, in particular, have a lot of such desire. They so badly want God to be an indispensable part of our universe's creation, so they see finely-tuned constants. They also tend to sweep under the rug the following fact: the vast majority of our universe is hostile to life, and they fail to consider that another hand in the proverbial deck might yield a better universe than ours, one teaming with life on every planet throughout the cosmos.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "G.M. Jackson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-as-i-stated-before-no/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Atheism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-as-i-stated-before-no/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/g-m-jackson-38985_atheism_the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-a_87518.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The claim of fine tuning is subjective. As I stated before, no measurement in physics is perfect. The amount…” — G.M. Jackson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "G.M. Jackson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-jackson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The claim of fine tuning is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-as-i-stated-before-no/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-jackson/the-claim-of-fine-tuning-is-subjective-as-i-stated-before-no/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
