Necessary Thing

[Ignorant]

OK well, an infinite series with each element's existence dependent on the next. What's your objection to that?

Wait, as a finite thing? Where did that come from?...

My objection is that, it seems, that you are suggesting that it is possible for a finite thing (e.g. helium) to be the satisfaction of an infinity of conditions (i.e. other things). I think that is logically self-contradictory. In other words:

When I say helium exists on the condition that at least two protons are existing, I do not suggest that I have just described all of the conditions of a thing existing as helium. By identifying at least one condition, I have merely derived my 1st premise. As to the second:

Now, if two protons exist, they need to exist in a particular way to satisfy more of the conditions for helium's existence. 

Consider two hydrogen atoms (each with a single proton) existing side by side: this is not the same as helium. The thing called helium exists on the condition that a particular relationship is synchronously existing between two synchronously existing protons. 

The individual protons' existences each have their own additional conditions (e.g. perhaps the synchronous existence of quarks provides for the existence of protons). Also, the existence of a particular sort of relationship (whatever that may be) between two protons has its own conditions in addition to those others. I imagine there are many more fundamental conditions, and I don't know how many there are. Whether there is a finite number, or an infinity of conditions, it must be the case that, TOGETHER, all of these synchronously existing and satisfied conditions (however many there are and whatever they are) exist as helium.

Either things (e.g. helium) are finite things are not.

If they are finite things, they exist on the condition that another thing exists, or not.

If some finite things exist on the condition that another thing exists, it either has an infinity of such conditions, or not.

Now, consider the possibility of an infinity of conditions for a finite thing:

a) "An infinity of synchronously existing things is a finite existing thing", or in other words
b) "The satisfaction of an infinity of conditionally and synchronously existing things exist as a finite thing"
c) any other formulation expressing the same idea

Those statements are either meaningless, or logically self-contradictory. It is like saying "This existing proton is not existing"

Now consider the possibility of a finite number of conditions for a finite thing:

a) "A finite number of synchronously existing things is a finite existing thing"
b) "The satisfaction of an finite number of conditionally and synchronously existing things exist as a finite thing"
c) any other formulation expressing the same idea

Those statements are not self-contradictory. It is like saying "These atoms together exist as glucose" or "Glucose exists when these atoms exist in a certain way"