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    If an infinite series of contingent beings can constitute... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→A chain of possible things cannot regress infinitely and must terminate in a being that is necessary in itself

    If an infinite series of contingent beings can constitute a completed whole, the demand for an external necessary cause dissolves, since no member lacks a cause within the series.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Causation within a series can be complete if each member's existence is explained by prior members, requiring no external ground.
      ?

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    • 2.An infinite regress of causes is logically coherent if every link in the chain is itself explained, avoiding explanatory gaps.
      ?

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    • 3.The demand for external necessity conflates the need for local causes with the need for global explanation of the series itself.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Explaining each member via prior members leaves the existence of the entire series as a brute fact, which is unexplained.
      ?

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    • 2.Infinity cannot constitute a 'completed whole' that is actually present; only finite wholes can be causally self-contained totalities.
      ?

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    • 3.Even if members are pairwise caused, the fact that contingent beings exist at all (rather than nothing) requires external necessity.
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    Connections

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    Natural Theology1 linkedDivine Attributes1 linked

    Related

    A chain of possible things cannot regress infinitely and must terminate in a bei...An infinite regress of causes is logically coherent if every link in the chain i...Causation within a series can be complete if each member's existence is explaine...Even if members are pairwise caused, the fact that contingent beings exist at al...
    +3 moreShow less
    Explaining each member via prior members leaves the existence of the entire seri...Infinity cannot constitute a 'completed whole' that is actually present; only fi...The demand for external necessity conflates the need for local causes with the n...

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    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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