Circular definitions,circular explanations,and infinite regresses |
| |
Authors: | Claude Gratton |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Department of Philosophy, Laurentian University, Ramsey Lake Road, P3E 2C6 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
| |
Abstract: | This paper discusses some of the ways in which circular definitions and circular explanations entail or fail to entail infinite regresses. And since not all infinite regresses are vicious, a few criteria of viciousness are examined in order to determine when the entailment of a regress refutes a circular definition or a circular explanation.I would like to thank Professors Robert Tully, Howard Sobel, and Derek Allen for their constructive comments. |
| |
Keywords: | Circular definition definiendum definiens principle of substitutivity circular explanation explanandum explanans infinite regress concatenating regress vicious regress superflous regress harmless regress beginningless process endless process asymmetric and transitive relation |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|