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Introduction

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Infinite Regress Arguments

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Philosophy ((BRIEFSPHILOSOPH))

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Abstract

This chapter introduces the topic of infinite regress arguments, presents an overview of classic cases, and explains what we should expect from theories about such arguments.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For the first example, cf. Hurwicz (2008). For the second, cf. Chisholm (1982, Chap. 5), Amico (1993), Lammenranta (2008).

  2. 2.

    Actually, the Problem of the Criterion might also involve a circularity, rather than a regress. In that case, you prove that c1 correctly determines what is true and what is not by showing that it predicts the right results. Here, you already know what is true and what is not, and so whether p is true or not. This is circular, for we started from the situation where you still have to decide whether proposition p is true.

  3. 3.

    For transcendental arguments, cf. Stern (2011). For thought experiments, cf. Sorensen (1992), Häggqvist (1996), Gendler (2000), Williamson (2007, Chap. 6). For introductions to philosophical methodology generally, cf. Rosenberg (1978), Baggini and Fosl (2003), Daly (2010).

  4. 4.

    Throughout the book, the square brackets indicate how the line is obtained from previous lines.

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  1. VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Jan Willem Wieland

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  1. Jan Willem Wieland
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Wieland, J.W. (2014). Introduction. In: Infinite Regress Arguments. SpringerBriefs in Philosophy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06206-8_1

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