The goal is to explain &quot;why is the number this value and not some other value&quot;. Unless the number <i>actually takes on</i> multiple values, the anthropic principle has no explanatory power.<p>If there is only one value, the universe can&#x27;t &quot;plan&quot; or &quot;choose&quot; a value that is conducive to life, and so pointing to its suitability for life is a teleological argument-- it explains a cause (the value of the constant) in terms of its effect (the eventual existence of life). That&#x27;s backwards and circular-- causes come <i>before</i> effects.