An infinite regress in a series of propositions arises if the truth of proposition P1 requires the support of proposition P2, the truth of proposition P2 requires the support of proposition P3, ..., and the truth of proposition Pn-1 requires the support of proposition Pn and n approaches infinity.
Distinction is made between infinite regresses that are "vicious" and those that are not. One definition given is that a vicious regress is "an attempt to solve a problem which re-introduced the same problem in the proposed solution. If one continues along the same lines, the initial problem will recur infinitely and will never be solved. Not all regresses, however, are vicious."
Read more about Infinite Regress: Aristotle's Answer, Consciousness, Optics
Famous quotes containing the words infinite and/or regress:
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