Chains of Being

Abstract

This book argues for both Metaphysical Infinitism—the view that there can be infinitely descending chains of ontological dependence and grounding, with no bottom level of fundamental things or facts—and Metaphysical Holism—the view that there can be circles of ontological dependence or grounding. It is argued that the orthodox view—Metaphysical Foundationalism, the view that everything in reality is ultimately accounted for by a base class of fundamental phenomena—is unmotivated. It is also argued that we should reject the orthodox view that relations like grounding and ontological dependence are explanatory relations. An alternative account of metaphysical explanation is defended that does not tie explanation to grounding, ontological dependence, or fundamentality. A number of cases are developed across a wide range of philosophical areas, to show the theoretical fruitfulness of allowing infinite regress and circularity, including: non-well-founded set theory, mathematical structuralism, the metaphysics of persons, the metaphysics of gender and sexuality, the semantic paradoxes, and others. In the course of the discussion, distinctive views are defended concerning when an infinite regress is vicious, the nature of truth, non-classical logic and dialetheism, social construction, and more.