A Uniform Account of Regress Problems

Acta Analytica 32 (3) (2017)
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Abstract

This paper presents a uniform general account of regress problems in the form of a pentalemma—i.e., a set of five mutually inconsistent claims. Specific regress problems can be analyzed as instances of such a general schema, and this Regress Pentalemma Schema can be employed to generate deductively valid arguments from the truth of a subset of four claims to the falsity of the fifth. Thus, a uniform account of the nature of regress problems allows for an improved understanding of specific regress objections or arguments, and, correspondingly, of the general logical geography of the debate about infinite regresses. This uniform approach is illustrated by a treatment of the classical epistemological problem of justification, but it encompasses a whole variety of cases including explanation and ontological grounding. Furthermore, this general account is compared and contrasted with the existing literature discussing argument schemata for regress objections, particularly with the work of Jan Willem Wieland. It is shown how such other schemata can be incorporated and superseded by the general Regress Pentalemma Schema.

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David Löwenstein
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Citations of this work

Know-how as Competence. A Rylean Responsibilist Account.David Löwenstein - 2017 - Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Klostermann.
Infinite barbarians.Daniel Nolan - 2019 - Ratio 32 (3):173-181.
Problemrekonstruktionen in der Philosophie- und Argumentationsdidaktik.David Löwenstein - forthcoming - In David Löwenstein, Donata Romizi & Jonas Pfister (eds.), Argumentieren im Philosophie- und Ethikunterricht. Grundfragen, Anwendungen, Grenzen. Göttingen: Under review at: V&R Unipress.
Rule‐Following and Objective Spirit.Thomas J. Spiegel - 2022 - Philosophical Investigations 46 (1):76-98.

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References found in this work

Guide to Ground.Kit Fine - 2012 - In Fabrice Correia & Benjamin Schnieder (eds.), Metaphysical Grounding. Cambridge University Press. pp. 37--80.
No Work for a Theory of Grounding.Jessica Wilson - 2014 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 57 (5-6):535-579.
Infinite Regress Arguments.Jan Willem Wieland - 2013 - Acta Analytica 28 (1):95-109.
Infinte Regress Arguments.Claude Gratton - 2009 - Dordrecht, Netherland: Springer.
Infinite regress arguments and the problem of universals.D. Armstrong - 1974 - Australasian Journal of Philosophy 52 (3):191 – 201.

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