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Can't win for losing...

That's what my mum says when both alternatives seem unfair.

Shermer first points out that humanity is not the center of the universe, as was pointed out by Copernicus, and THEN points out that most of the universe (temporally and spatially) is inhospital to life.  These two statements are certainly mutually consistent.  But the additional premise one would in each case add in order to draw a conclusion opposed to the anthropic principle might not be so consistent.  For the (non-controversial) claim that we are not the center of the universe is made in opposition the pre-Copernican claim that we are at the center.  So in order for the pre-Copernican view to be valid, the earth would have to be surrounded by the non-living remainder of the cosmos.  But if that is the case, then Shermer will object that most of the universe (i.e., that which surrounds us) is not living).

In other words, no matter how the universe is arranged, Shermer will take that arrangement as indicating the lack of providential concern.
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