I don't think that physics existed before humans; physical law did. Physics is the study of physical law, just as math is the study of mathematical objects and systems of laws that are obeyed by those objects. Thus I wouldn't say that math existed before intelligent life, but nathenatical objects did.
On first blush that seems to be a semantic argument. It doesn't seem you actually disagree with EY, but rather you seem to object to the use of the Physics and put in its place "Physical law" and put "mathematical objects" in place of "mathematics."
Is this an accurate description of what you are trying to say?
I recognize the title could be more informative. At the same time I believe it says what is important.
I believe in a deity, I believe in mathematical entities in the same way.
The community of LessWrong (from whenceforth: LessWrong) is deeply interesting to me, appearing as a semi-organized atheist, reductionist community.
LessWrong seems very interested in promoting rationality, which I applaud. The effort does seem scattered, though, and this is the reason I post.
One has Eliezer's website with some interesting posts. The same of this community. The community links to some posts when you are coming for the first time into it, and you also have a filter for top posts. One has the blog. And recently, the center for modern rationality (in the same page as harrypoter fanfiction about rationality).
The point being there is no defined roadmap to go from AIC (average irrational chump to make an analogy to Game - which also seems to come up around quite a bit) to RA (again, rationality artist).
I write this post as to maybe generate a discussion on how the efforts could be concentrated and a new direction taken.
Should the creation of the Center for Modern Rationality envision this same concentration, this post may and should be disregard.
If it does not, then I leave it to your consideration.
Hang.