Is nature perfect, in that it works perfectly (not human life, but nature, the universe)? eg: sun comes up etc

Question

Here the question refers to what we call nature and our universe. There is in fact perfect order (not for us humans, in that we learn from "mistakes" and seemingly negative experiences; this question is not about us). So, is the unfolding of life, or nature, perfect? The sun comes up, season follows season, the moon does not stray, babies are born, flowers bloom in Spring...think?

Answer 1

No.

The universe is not "perfect", it can be said to have a high degree of predictability, but even that deals with a level of confidence, - not of absolute certainty.

So a scientist will say water boils at 100c, - and all he can say is that he expects it to boil again at 100c.

With this degree of uncertainty and that the whole world is tainted by sin, (even the trees grown for redemption).. then everyone can agree, -theologians and scientists that the universe is not perfect, and ALMOST fully predictable.

Answer 2

I disagree with the previous answers. We assume that nature acts according to certain "laws". As "laws", the rules by which the universe operates are by definition immutable. Using the reasoning of the first answerer, a scientist can only predict that water will boil again at 100 C...if water in his next experiment boils at 105 C, it does not mean that the "laws" of nature are not operating, or that they are changing, or that their degree of certitude is variable; it only means that our understanding of the "laws" by which the process of boiling operates are imperfect.
A "law" is, by definition, a certitude. A law that changes does not nullify the law, it only modifies it. There is no evidence that can be accepted as "changing" a law that cannot be more easily incorporated into a greater understanding of the rich definition (a philosophical term I use advisedly) of the law. Nature functions perfectly and by perfect rules...it is our fault if we do not understand them completely. The more variations we see, the closer we get to a full, rich understanding of nature's rules, and the closer we get to Hegel's notion of unity.

Answer 3

No. If nature were perfect, nothing as we know it will exist. Just about everything we have today, including us, are result of nature's imperfections.

But that's not all true. Actually, it all depends on our understanding of nature. Nature is a complex interactions of everything around it. It is so complex and our current understanding of it limited, we consider some changes, "random." As we understand more, we may, at one point, find out the complete mapping of what affect what and how.

Answer 4

Yes, Sun comes up and flowers bloom

But also:
Volcanoes erupt, Ice ages destroy millions of species, Viruses kill billions, Hurricanes kill indiscriminately, Tsunamis ravage the shores.

Furthermore:
Sun will eventually become a red giant and expand, consuming Earth and everything on it.[1]

If this is what you call perfection -- you do not have very high standards.