Introduction

Abstract

This Introduction describes Metaphysical Foundationalism, the view that chains of ontological dependence and grounding never go in a circle, and always terminate in a realm of absolutely fundamental entities or facts. It further describes two rival views: Metaphysical Infinitism, which allows for an infinite regress of grounding or ontological dependence, and Metaphysical Holism, which allows for those relations to go in a circle. This introduction details the plan for the book, which will be an extended argument against Metaphysical Foundationalism, in favor of both Infinitism and Holism, and it describes how this project involves abandoning the orthodox view on how grounding and ontological dependence connect to the notion of metaphysical explanation.