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    Postulating infinite series of spatial intermediaries to ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→When there are no intervening material objects between two spatial locations, we must postulate a series of intervening spatial entities to explain comparative distance judgements such as 'A is nearer to D than to F'.

    Postulating infinite series of spatial intermediaries to ground every distance comparison generates a vicious regress, since those entities' distances also require explanation.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Explanatory chains must terminate in self-justifying foundations, or they fail to explain anything at all.
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    • 2.If spatial intermediaries require distance explanations, invoking infinite intermediaries merely postpones rather than resolves the problem.
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    • 3.Any regressive explanatory structure violates the principle that legitimate explanations must be finite and complete.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Some mathematical and physical structures (convergent series, metric spaces) are coherently infinite without requiring terminal foundations.
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    • 2.The regress argument conflates metaphysical explanation with logical derivation—distance relations may be self-contained without external justification.
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    • 3.Grounding can be holistic rather than linear; intermediary distances explain each other reciprocally without circularity or infinite ascent.
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    Related

    Any regressive explanatory structure violates the principle that legitimate expl...Explanatory chains must terminate in self-justifying foundations, or they fail t...Grounding can be holistic rather than linear; intermediary distances explain eac...If spatial intermediaries require distance explanations, invoking infinite inter...
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    Some mathematical and physical structures (convergent series, metric spaces) are...The regress argument conflates metaphysical explanation with logical derivation—...When there are no intervening material objects between two spatial locations, we...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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