Questions tagged [regress]
12 questions
16
votes
7 answers
Does Intelligent Design (ID) entail an infinite regress of designers, and if so, is that problematic?
We can arrive at an infinite regress of designers as follows:
Suppose that X is so complex that it's considered to show evidence of design. Accordingly, we infer that an intelligent designer must be behind X. Let ID1 be this intelligent…
user66156
7
votes
7 answers
Can the hard problem of consciousness, in principle, be answered with a mathematical formula?
By "answering the hard problem with a formula," what I mean is to give a formula F that takes as input a mathematical representation of a physical system, and produces as output a mathematical representation of what the physical system is…
causative
- 21,091
- 2
- 25
- 78
6
votes
6 answers
Can a totally ordered set with a last element but no first element exist, or is this contradictory?
Can a totally ordered set with a last element but no first element exist, or is this contradictory? An example of such a set would be a set that is ordered from largest to smallest, with there being no largest element: "...... > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1"…
Max Maxman
- 820
- 2
- 13
5
votes
4 answers
Reductio ad absurdum proof of the existence of the ‘Unexplainable’ as the foundation of all knowledge
First let me start with a quote around which I am posing my question:
The very ground upon which all our knowledge and science rest is the
inexplicable. Therefore every explanation leads back to this, by means of
middle terms more or less, as on…
User198
- 295
- 1
- 12
2
votes
1 answer
Multigraphs, hypergraphs, and the epistemic regress
Some definitions (from what I can tell):
A multigraph is a graph where a node can connect via multiple edges.
A hypergraph is a graph where a single edge can connect more than two nodes. Alternatively, there are nodeless edges available in this…
user40843
2
votes
4 answers
Doesn't infinite regress go backward forever? Is SEP wrong?
I have always understood infinite regress to mean going backwards forever. (Forever as in endlessly, not necessarily temporally). A model would be the negative integers, if we viewed them as a model of causation. -1 is "caused" by -2, -2 is caused…
user4894
- 3,084
- 2
- 19
- 29
2
votes
1 answer
Infinite regresses and AI: are they compatible?
I haven't been thinking about this very long, but when I encounter an infinite regress, I recognize it as a problem and then look for ways around that (avoid, make it virtuous, I don't know). I may even be hardwired to do this, insofar as I have…
user71399
1
vote
6 answers
Can circular reasoning be logical, and can it provide support for the Bible?
Circular reasoning is a type of logical fallacy where the premise is used to prove the conclusion. A basis example would be:
This historical movie is creditable.
Why?
Because it says so.
In this example, someone is assuming a movie is creditable…
Hannah
- 19
- 3
1
vote
0 answers
Initial/terminal values in a category of values (instead of intrinsic/final vs. extrinsic/instrumental values)
It seems as if the concept of intrinsic value is so unclear and/or unstable that we can't even tell whether (or when) it is transitiveT:
First, there is the possibility that the relation of intrinsic betterness is not transitive (that is, the…
user40843
1
vote
0 answers
Do regresses-of-reasons go from particulars to generalities only, or can they mediate chains of just particulars or just generalities too?
I was thinking of Kant's discourse on the form of the law and the law of formality as reciprocal (in the Critique of Practical Reason), where he seems to talk about a regress from specific maxims to the pure CI:
It is therefore the moral law, of…
user40843
0
votes
1 answer
Is the axiomatic method an inherently well-founded method?
It occurred to me a little while ago, that there is a trichotomy in set theory that maps to the positive solutions to the problem of the regress of inferential reasons. Namely, well-founded sets map to foundationalism, looping sets to coherentism,…
user40843
-1
votes
1 answer
Point in infinite regress where a 'why' question can no longer be answered
Example:
Q1: If I collected one apple, and I collected another apple, why do I have two apples now?
A1: Because 1 + 1 = 2
Q2: Why is 1 + 1 = 2?
Another example:
Q1: If gravity pulls us downwards, why are we not falling through the floor?
A1:…
user63990