Problems with the Infinity Argument

Abstract

According to the Infinity Argument, an actually infinite regress of past events cannot exist because an actual infinite cannot exist. The Infinity Argument is one of the most common arguments for a beginning of the universe espoused by advocates of the kalām cosmological argument. However, in this chapter I argue that the Infinity Argument is inconclusive and not a good argument in support of theism because it depends on controversial metaphysical positions. I show that the Infinity Argument is, first, incompatible with Platonism, second, incompatible with the standard definition of omniscience and, third, relies on a controversial metaphysical intuition.