LessonsThe Originator of the World: Necessary Existence, Infinite Regress and the Correspondence ProofQuiz

بل خارجا عنها فيكون واجبا فتنقطع السلسلة
Rather, it must lie outside the series; it is therefore necessary, and the series terminates.

The argument considers whether the collection causes itself, a member causes the whole, or the cause lies beyond the collection. The first two are rejected as circular or dependent. A cause beyond the dependent series remains.

“Outside” here need not describe physical distance or a location beyond the sky. It means not being a member of the contingent chain. Were the supposed final ground still contingent, the original dependence would reappear. Thus it is called necessary.

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A cause beyond the series

The Originator of the World: Necessary Existence, Infinite Regress and the Correspondence Proof

بل خارجا عنها فيكون واجبا فتنقطع السلسلة
Rather, it must lie outside the series; it is therefore necessary, and the series terminates.

The argument considers whether the collection causes itself, a member causes the whole, or the cause lies beyond the collection. The first two are rejected as circular or dependent. A cause beyond the dependent series remains.

“Outside” here need not describe physical distance or a location beyond the sky. It means not being a member of the contingent chain. Were the supposed final ground still contingent, the original dependence would reappear. Thus it is called necessary.