We are left with an вЂinfinite regressвЂ™ of God actively choosing not to create the universe. If we work backwards from the beginning of our universe we are left with the same problem as the soldier waiting to fire. Well the first problem comes with the claim that God is вЂinfiniteвЂ™, or has no beginning. The problem comes from some of the attributes assigned to God by creationists, especially those assigned to God by Christians and Muslims. For when we raise the question of what God was doing before creation we are led into an вЂinfinite regressвЂ™. We immediately come to a problem when we consider what God was doing before creation.

However, upon closer examination of the claim we are drawn back to some of the same questions and problems that cause creationists to posit God as the answer. If we simply say вЂGod is the first causeвЂ™ then we have overcome вЂinfinite regressвЂ™. Well if we simply declare God as the answer, then yes it does overcome these problems. Does positing a God ultimately solve the problem of вЂinfinite regressвЂ™ though? That there cannot be a creator to the creator, otherwise we are forced into another вЂinfinite regressвЂ™. The argument is also used when addressing the question of вЂWho created the creatorвЂ™. The claim is that we cannot have an infinite amount of preceding events that led to вЂThe Big BangвЂ™, otherwise вЂThe Big BangвЂ™ would never have happened as we would be caught in вЂinfinite regressвЂ™. This argument is then transferred to the beginning of our universe by creationists. There must be a soldier who is the вЂfirst causeвЂ™, the one that gives permission to fire. Eventually we must come to a soldier that gives permission to fire, otherwise the soldier at the front of line would never be able to fire. That soldier then asks the soldier behind them, then that soldier repeats the same process. The soldier at the front asks the soldier behind if they have permission to fire.

If we imagine a soldier waiting for orders from the soldier before to fire at the enemy. An example that has been used to explain the problem is that of the soldier waiting for orders to fire. For if we have an infinite amount of preceding events then we can never get to where we are now, that there must ultimately be a вЂfirst causeвЂ™ or вЂprime moverвЂ™. The вЂinfinite regressвЂ™ argument posits that we cannot have an infinite amount of preceding events or causes. So what is the вЂinfinite regressвЂ™ problem? The problem of вЂinfinite regressвЂ™ is one such problem for which God is posited in order to overcome. That God must necessarily exist in order to explain and overcome certain questions and problems regarding existence.

One of the many arguments put forward as evidence for the existence of God is that of necessity.

Infinite regress under duress