The following sentence in the Wiki link caught my eyes.
Michael Rowan-Robinson emphasizes the importance of the Copernican principle: "It is evident that in the post-Copernican era of human history, no well-informed and rational person can imagine that the Earth occupies a unique position in the universe."
Although this is a powerful philosophical thought, I feel that its limitation may be its obsession with the concept of uniqueness, which is precisely what it may be trying to sublimate! For example, it cannot answer questions like: can this universe be imagined to be unique by the same token that the Earth cannot be imagined to be unique? The mechanical answer has to be no. And for this answer to be correct, we are forced to imagine a multi-verse within which the universe can lose its uniqueness. Then we are forced to ask the question: can this multi-verse be imagined.....by the same token....that the universe cannot...? This questioning will proceed ad infinitum. It reminds me of Zeno's Paradox. This is where, I feel that, the philosophical constructs of the west meet those of the east like Maya and Koan.
I think that you may like the following story within the context of this discussion on the Copernican Principle and its possibly intended intent, which is to reduce arrogance in human thought.
Indra (Sakra), the king of Devas (gods), is known for his arrogance. One day, he decides that he wants a grand palace to be built for him to befit his stature. So he orders Vishwakarma, the architect of gods and son of Brahma, to build a great palace for him. Vishwakarma builds a wonderful palace with all possible amnities for Indra. But Indra is not happy. He wants the grandest palace for himself. Poor Vishwakarma breaks down the first one and builds an even grander palace, one of his best creations.
Indra, however, is still not satisfied. He wants a palace like no other - like the one never built before and like the one that will never be built later. He is, after all, the ruler of the three worlds! There is no one like him. How can he have an ordinary palace? ...
He orders Vishwakarma to rebuild the palace - the third time. An exasperated Vishwakarma goes to his father Brahma and asks for help. Brahma asks him to take Vishnu's refuge. Vishnu hears the whole story and laughs out. He tells Vishwakarma not to worry and that he will take care of it.
He goes to Indra in the form of a boy. Indra welcomes his guest and asks his purpose of visit. The boy says "to see if your palace is better than OTHER Indras"!
Indra is dumb-folded. What does the boy mean by 'Other Indras'? The boy tells him "yes, other Indras. Those who existed before you. Those who will come after you. And also those who are currently existing in parallel worlds" ...
... Can you imagine Indra's situation when he hears this? ... Countless Indras in the past, countless now, and countless in the future. Each Indra is a ruler of the sky of his world and a king of Devas. Each one wants his Vishwakarma to build a grand palace. The boy goes on to tell him how he has met with them all and seen their palaces.
Indra is humbled by this insight, knows that the boy is really Narayana (Vishnu) and stops making his place grander.
So, should Indra have believed the small boy and stopped making his place grander? Well, this may be a question that cannot be answered uniquely!
