What is meant by infinite regress?
An infinite regress is a series of appropriately related elements with a first member but no last member, where each element leads to or generates the next in some sense. An infinite regress argument is an argument that makes appeal to an infinite regress.
What is the epistemic regress problem?
The epistemic regress problem is commonly posed as an argument for skepticism: to know any proposition P we must know a proposition Q that provides evidence for P, but this requires an endless regress of known propositions—a circle or an infinite regress—so, since we cannot acquire knowledge by means of such regresses.
What is a vicious infinite regress?
A vicious infinite regress occurs when an explanation is offered to solve some problem (e.g. in philosophy) and the very same problem recurs within the proposed explanation (though, at first, this defect might not be obvious). Thus, if an explanation leads to a vicious infinite regress, it is a failed explanation.
Is infinite regress logical?
While it’s true that an infinite regress is a logical error, not all propositions are contingent truths. Perhaps most historically significant, many philosophers have argued for the existence of an “uncaused cause” of the universe, in order to avoid an infinite regress of causal events.
Why infinite regress is possible?
According to the recursive principle, this is only possible if there is a distinct Y that is also F. But in order to account for the fact that Y is F, we need to posit a Z that is F and so on. An infinite regress argument is an argument against a theory based on the fact that this theory leads to an infinite regress.
Why is infinite regress a fallacy?
It’s a fallacy because it is begging the question that is to say that it is a circular argument. Whether referring to the origins of the universe or any other regressive context, the answer simply moves the question back into infinite regress rather than answering it.
What is the regress problem philosophy?
In epistemology, the regress argument is the argument that any proposition requires a justification. This means that any proposition whatsoever can be endlessly (infinitely) questioned, resulting in infinite regress. It is a problem in epistemology and in any general situation where a statement has to be justified.
How do I stop infinite regress?
Once the regress has started, there is no way of stopping it since a new entity has to be introduced at each step in order to make the previous step possible. An infinite regress argument is an argument against a theory based on the fact that this theory leads to an infinite regress.
Is time finite or infinite?
As a universe, a vast collection of animate and inanimate objects, time is infinite. Even if there was a beginning, and there might be a big bang end, it won’t really be an end. The energy left behind will become something else; the end will be a beginning.
Is time infinite in philosophy?
Temporal finitism is the doctrine that time is finite in the past. The philosophy of Aristotle, expressed in such works as his Physics, held that although space was finite, with only void existing beyond the outermost sphere of the heavens, time was infinite.
What is an example of infinite regress?
Examples: “The world is supported by four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle, which is standing on the back of another giant turtle, which is standing on the back of another giant turtle…” Eggs exist because they are laid by chickens; and, of course, chickens are hatched from eggs.”
What makes a regress vicious?
On the idle understanding, an infinite regress is vicious because it entails infinity, and infinity is vicious-making because it violates the principle of ontological parsimony. To understand the distinction between vicious and virtuous in terms of ontological parsimony is to make use of “Ockham’s razor”.