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#Synonym for regress series#

But in order to account for the fact that Y is F, we need to posit a Z that is F and so on. According to the recursive principle, this is only possible if there is a distinct Y that is also F. So the regress starts with the fact that X is F. This is why an additional triggering condition has to be fulfilled: there has to be an X that is F for the regress to get started. This principle by itself is not sufficient: it does not lead to a regress if there is no X that is F. Or in the cosmological argument, an event occurred because it was caused by another event that occurred before it, which was itself caused by a previous event, and so on. But this other belief is itself in need of one more justified belief for itself to be justified and so on. In the epistemic regress, for example, a belief is justified because it is based on another belief that is justified.

X and Y stand for objects, R stands for a relation and F stands for a property in the widest sense. This principle can often be expressed in the following form: X is F because X stands in R to Y and Y is F.

#Synonym for regress series#

3 Responses to infinite regress argumentsĪn infinite regress is an infinite series of entities governed by a recursive principle that determines how each entity in the series depends on or is produced by its predecessor.

Famous examples include the cosmological argument, Bradley's regress and regress arguments in epistemology. Infinite regress arguments have been made in various areas of philosophy. Another way is coherentism, which is based on a holistic explanation that usually sees the entities in question not as a linear series but as an interconnected network. One such strategy is foundationalism, which posits that there is a first element in the series from which all the other elements arise but which is not itself explained this way. While some philosophers have explicitly defended theories with infinite regresses, the more common strategy has been to reformulate the theory in question in a way that avoids the regress. Traditionally, it was often assumed without much argument that each infinite regress is vicious but this assumption has been put into question in contemporary philosophy. Other forms occur when the infinite regress is responsible for the theory in question being implausible or for its failure to solve the problem it was formulated to solve.

The most serious form of viciousness involves a contradiction in the form of metaphysical impossibility. There are different ways in which a regress can be vicious. For such an argument to be successful, it has to demonstrate not just that the theory in question entails an infinite regress but also that this regress is vicious. An infinite regress argument is an argument against a theory based on the fact that this theory leads to an infinite regress.

For other uses, see Infinite regress (disambiguation).Īn infinite regress is an infinite series of entities governed by a recursive principle that determines how each entity in the series depends on or is produced by its predecessor.