The Five Ways, Part II

On infinite regresses

• Per se versus per accidens ordering: each depends on earlier for its act of causing, according to Scotus.
• Fallacious version of the second way: If you take away the firstness of a cause, the effects disappear. Paul Edwards pushes this objection. The proponent of an infinite series is not taking away a first cause, but adding infinitely many.
  • Yes, but relative to a grounded infinite series, she is taking one away.
• Per se series are transitive.
• Passing the buck. (Agency?) Train trucks versus train engines. Tortoises.
• Regress is vicious when the problem is pushed back.