Single Idea 6064

[catalogued under 2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 2. Infinite Regress]

Full Idea

Regresses are only vicious in the context of some explanatory aim, not in themselves.

Gist of Idea

Regresses are only vicious in the context of an explanation

Source

Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.2 n11)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.25


A Reaction

A nice point. It is not quite clear how 'pure' reason could ever be vicious, or charming, or sycophantic. The problem about a vicious regress is precisely that it fails to explain anything. Now benign regresses are something else… (see Idea 2523)

Related Idea

Idea 2523 That every mammal has a mother is a secure reality, but without foundations [Dennett]