100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers $12.99   Add to cart

Exam (elaborations)

Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers

 5 views  0 purchase
  • Course
  • Infinite Regress of Recurring
  • Institution
  • Infinite Regress Of Recurring

Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers Claude Gratton University of Sudbury Follow this and additional works at: Part of the Philosophy Commons Gratton, Claude, "Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers" (1997). OSSA Conference Archive. 48. This Paper is brough...

[Show more]

Preview 2 out of 10  pages

  • August 4, 2024
  • 10
  • 2024/2025
  • Exam (elaborations)
  • Questions & answers
  • Infinite Regress of Recurring
  • Infinite Regress of Recurring
avatar-seller
StudyCenter1
University of Windsor
Scholarship at UWindsor

OSSA Conference Archive OSSA 2


May 15th, 9:00 AM - May 17th, 5:00 PM

Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers
Claude Gratton
University of Sudbury




Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ossaarchive

Part of the Philosophy Commons


Gratton, Claude, "Infinite Regress of Recurring Questions and Answers" (1997). OSSA Conference Archive.
48.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ossaarchive/OSSA2/papersandcommentaries/48


This Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences and Conference Proceedings at
Scholarship at UWindsor. It has been accepted for inclusion in OSSA Conference Archive by an authorized
conference organizer of Scholarship at UWindsor. For more information, please contact scholarship@uwindsor.ca.

, INFINITE REGRESSES AND RECURRING QUESTIONS

Claude Gratton
Department of Philosophy
University of Sudbury
©1998, Claude Gratton

Abstract:
I examine a number of infinite regress arguments whose infinite regresses are presented or
described in terms of recurring questions and answers in order to determine whether such recurring
questions have any role in generating these infinite regresses, or in disqualifying the recurring
answers. I argue that despite the existence of such infinite regress arguments and the suggestions of
some philosophers, these recurring questions have no such roles. Some ways of handling these
infinite regress arguments are then proposed.

***

The infinite regress in some infinite regress arguments is presented or described in terms of recurring questions
and answers. There are a few reasons why I want to examine the role of such recurring questions. First, they are
sometimes used to capture the gist of an infinite regress argument. A case in point is Bradley's famous infinite
regress argument against the reality of relations. Stout summarizes the argument's complex regress-generating
component in the following way: (1) "In its simple form the whole point of the argument is contained in the
reiterated question—What connects the relation and its terms?".1 Secondly, infinite regress arguments are
typically presented in a very terse way, and so the mere fact of using or referring to recurring questions in such a
compact context gives the impression that such questions have an important function. Thirdly, the comments of a
few philosophers suggest that these questions do have a role to play in either the derivation of an infinite regress,
or in the disqualification of the recurring answers. I will examine their comments and some examples in order to
determine the roles of such questions. This discussion will then lead to a few suggestions regarding our handling
of such infinite regress arguments.

Some philosophers believe that some infinite regresses are the result of recurring questions. Consider J.W.
Dunne's comments.

(2) Now, a series [i.e. a regress] may be brought to light as the result of a question. Someone might
enquire, 'What was the origin of this man?', or a child learning arithmetic might set to work to
discover what is the largest possible whole number. The answer to the first question has not yet
been ascertained: the answer to the second can never be given. It will be seen, however, that the
reply in each case must develop as a series of answers to a series of questions. In the first instance,
we reply that the man is descended from his father; but that only raises the further and similar
question, 'What was the origin of his father?'. In the second case the child will discover that 2 is a
greater number than 1; but he is compelled to consider then whether there is not a number greater
than 2—and so on to infinity. A question which can be answered only at the cost of asking
another and similar question in this annoying fashion was called by the early philosophers,
'regressive', and the majority of them regarded such a 'regress to infinity' with absolute
abhorrence.2

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller StudyCenter1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for $12.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

67096 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now

Start selling
$12.99
  • (0)
  Add to cart