Abstract

Infinite chain means endless sequence or dependence of one thing on another thing. Numerous proofs have been offered for the impossibility of endless chain, the most important of which are four proofs of Side and Amid, the Firmest and Most Concise, Applied and Existence, Copulative existence and Independent. Mirdamad believes that proofs for infinite chain go only through ascending hierarchy and that succession and co-existence are conditions for impossible endless chain. Allamah Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaii, however, believes that proofs for endless chain go through both ascending and descending hierarchies and that three conditions of actuality, sequence, and co-existence are conditions for impossible infinite chain. The present paper proves that proofs for the impossibility of infinite chain go only through ascending hierarchy and have nothing to say about descending hierarchy. Impossible infinite chain has two conditions of sequence and co-existence and infinite chain is impossible only in complete causes.