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Is the Argument Proving Itself?

Circular reasoning restates the conclusion as support, leaving the real question unanswered.

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  • Begging the question
  • Hidden circular premises
  • Independent support
Preview for Is the Argument Proving Itself?

Introduction

Circular reasoning and unsupported conclusions are central mechanisms of a common informal logical fallacy in which an argument fails to provide independent support for its claim. At its core, this type of reasoning uses the conclusion itself — or something virtually equivalent — as its own justification. The result is an argument that seems to work because it loops back on itself, but on closer inspection no new evidence or reasoning enters the chain. This fallacy is especially misleading because it can feel persuasive even while being uninformative: the conclusion appears to follow from the premises only because the premises already assume what they set out to prove. [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

Overview image for Circularity

Begging the Question: When the Argument Presumes Its Conclusion

A classic way circularity shows up in reasoning is through the fallacy called begging the question, also known by its Latin name petitio principii. Here, one of the premises in an argument assumes the very claim that the argument is supposed to establish. In other words, the argument never gets off the ground because it starts by presuming what it is meant to demonstrate. [Scribbr]scribbr.comBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesScribbrBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesMay 31, 2023…Published: May 31, 2023

In its simplest form, begging the question can look like a tautology: [scribbr.com]scribbr.comBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesScribbrBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesMay 31, 2023…Published: May 31, 2023

“God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because it is the word of God.”

In this example, the premise doesn’t offer independent evidence for God’s existence; it merely appeals to a source whose authority itself depends on the claim being established. This gives the illusion of support while introducing no new information. [Scribbr]scribbr.comBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesScribbrBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesMay 31, 2023…Published: May 31, 2023

More subtle instances disguise the circularity behind rephrasing, loaded language, or unstated assumptions. For example, saying “Opium puts people to sleep because it contains soporific properties” is circular because soporific literally means “sleep-inducing,” so the reason and the conclusion are effectively the same claim in different words. [logicalfallacies.org]logicalfallacies.orgBegging The QuestionDefinition & Examples | LF…

Circularity illustration 1

Hidden Circular Premises: Where the Loop Hides

One challenge with circular reasoning is that the circularity is not always explicit. In simple cases, it’s obvious when the conclusion is restated in the premises, but more complex chains of reasoning can hide the loop step by step. A chain of assertions like:

Simpsons Logical Fallacies: Circular Reasoning

Channel: Colburn Classroom · Views: 191.4K · Uploaded: November 2019 · Length: 1 minute 51 seconds

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  1. A is true because B is true.
  2. B is true because C is true.
  3. C is true because A is true.

creates a closed loop, but each individual step seems to offer support — except that the chain never connects back to any independent evidence. This type of circularity is often concealed by additional context or persuasive wording, making it harder to detect without diagramming the argument or scrutinising its structure. [Fallacy Files]fallacyfiles.orgFallacy Files Logical Fallacy: Begging the QuestionFallacy Files Logical Fallacy: Begging the Question

Philosophical treatments of circular arguments discuss how this looping can be disguised when premises and conclusions are restated in synonymous ways or when intermediate steps mask the underlying dependency. [Fallacy Files]fallacyfiles.orgFallacy Files Logical Fallacy: Begging the QuestionFallacy Files Logical Fallacy: Begging the Question

Critical Thinking #16: Begging the Question

Channel: David Pakman Show · Views: 13.1K · Uploaded: March 2018 · Length: 4 minutes 28 seconds

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Circular Reasoning vs. Independent Support

At a practical level, the defining problem with circular reasoning and unsupported conclusions is lack of independent support. In a sound argument, the premises should provide reasons that someone who doubts the conclusion could nonetheless accept. By contrast, circular reasoning assumes the conclusion within its premises, so the argument only convinces people who already accept the conclusion. [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

For example, saying:

“This news source is reliable because it only publishes accurate stories, and we know the stories are accurate because the source is reliable.”

presents a loop: reliability is supported by accuracy and accuracy by reliability. Unless some external, independently justified evidence about accuracy or reliability is offered, the argument never leaves the loop. [Rebutly]rebutly.comCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | RebutlyRebutlyCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | Rebutly…

This lack of independent evidence is what distinguishes mere repetition from genuine support. It is why circular reasoning is treated as a fallacy in informal logic: it fails to advance understanding or justify belief beyond what the audience already assumes. [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

Circularity illustration 2

Why Circular Arguments Are Unconvincing

Despite often being valid in the strict formal sense — if the premises are true, then the conclusion is also true — circular arguments are weak as explanations or justifications because they provide no reason to accept the premises other than already believing the conclusion. In informal logic, this is what makes them fallacious: the argument fails to connect why something should be accepted to any evidence or reasoning external to the claim itself. [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

This is why writers and debaters are encouraged to ask whether premises would still be persuasive to someone who doubts the conclusion. If not, the argument may be merely circular rather than genuinely supportive. [Rebutly]rebutly.comCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | RebutlyRebutlyCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | Rebutly…

Circularity illustration 3

Practical Detection and Avoidance

Recognising circular reasoning often involves:(#endnote-1 “Endnote 1”) [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

  • Checking for restatement: Is the conclusion essentially repeated in the premises?
  • Seeking independent evidence: Does the argument introduce information not already assumed by the conclusion?
  • Rephrasing the argument: Can the seemingly supportive statement be reduced to a form that shows the loop?

Being alert to these patterns helps distinguish between arguments that justify a conclusion and those that merely reflect it back on itself. [Rebutly]rebutly.comCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | RebutlyRebutlyCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | Rebutly…

Circular reasoning and unsupported conclusions remind us that good argumentation requires premises that stand on their own, not just mirrors of what we’re trying to prove. Without such independent support, an argument may seem persuasive but ultimately fails to do the work of genuine reasoning. [Wikipedia]WikipediaCircular reasoningCircular reasoning

Are you Begging the Question? - Gentleman Thinker

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Endnotes

  1. Source: Wikipedia
    Title: Circular reasoning
    Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_reasoning

  2. Source: scribbr.com
    Title: Begging the Question Fallacy | Definition & Examples
    Link: https://www.scribbr.com/fallacies/begging-the-question-fallacy/
    Source snippet

    ScribbrBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesMay 31, 2023...

    Published: May 31, 2023

  3. Source: logicalfallacies.org
    Title: Begging The Question
    Link: https://www.logicalfallacies.org/begging-the-question.html
    Source snippet

    Definition & Examples | LF...

  4. Source: rebutly.com
    Title: Circular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | Rebutly
    Link: https://rebutly.com/fallacies/circular-reasoning
    Source snippet

    RebutlyCircular Reasoning Fallacy — Definition, Examples & How to Counter | Rebutly...

  5. Source: logical-fallacy.com
    Title: Begging the Question
    Link: https://www.logical-fallacy.com/articles/begging-the-question/
    Source snippet

    Definition and Examples - Logical FallacyNovember 3, 2020 — BEGGING THE QUESTION - DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES 2020-11-03 DEFINITION Begging...

    Published: November 3, 2020

  6. Source: logical-fallacy.com
    Title: Circular Reasoning
    Link: https://www.logical-fallacy.com/articles/circular-reasoning/
    Source snippet

    Definition and Examples - Logical FallacyOctober 2, 2020 — CIRCULAR REASONING - DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES 2020-10-02 What we detect CONTENT...

    Published: October 2, 2020

  7. Source: logicalfallacies.org
    Title: Circular Reasoning
    Link: https://www.logicalfallacies.org/circular-reasoning.html
    Source snippet

    Definition & Examples | LFCIRCULAR REASONING informal Fallacy The fallacy of circular reasoning occurs when a person assumes the truth of...

  8. Source: scribbr.co.uk
    Title: Scribbr Begging the Question Fallacy | Definition & Examples
    Link: https://www.scribbr.co.uk/fallacy/the-begging-the-question-fallacy/
    Source snippet

    ScribbrBegging the Question Fallacy | Definition & ExamplesJune 1, 2023...

    Published: June 1, 2023

  9. Source: fallacyfiles.org
    Title: Fallacy Files Logical Fallacy: Begging the Question
    Link: https://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html

  10. Source: scribbr.co.uk
    Title: Circular Reasoning Fallacy | Definition & Examples
    Link: https://www.scribbr.co.uk/fallacy/circular-reasoning/
    Source snippet

    Revised on 21 August 2023. The circular reasoning fallacy is an argument that assumes the very t...

    Published: August 2023

  11. Source: philosophy.lander.edu
    Link: https://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/circular.html
    Source snippet

    Principii, Circular Argument, Begging the QuestionIMAGEPETITIO PRINCIPII (Begging the Question or Circular Argument) Abstract: Petitio pr...

Additional References

  1. Source: britannica.com
    Link: https://www.britannica.com/topic/circular-argument
    Source snippet

    Circular argument | Definition, History, Examples, & Facts | BritannicaCIRCULAR ARGUMENT logic Also known as: begging the question, petit...

  2. Source: fallacyguide.com
    Link: https://fallacyguide.com/fallacies/begging-the-question
    Source snippet

    SummaryExplanationPatternWhy it mattersExamplesOften Confused WithFAQFurther Reading PresumptionAKA: Circular Reasoning THE BEGGING THE Q...

  3. Source: fallacies.online
    Title: Take for example the following statement: > The Bible is God’s W
    Link: https://fallacies.online/wiki/logic/formal_fallacies/circular_reasoning
    Source snippet

    Circular reasoning – Fallacies OnlineJanuary 25, 2023 — CIRCULAR REASONING A form of logical fallacy in which the position that still has...

    Published: January 25, 2023

  4. Source: youtube.com
    Title: Critical Thinking #16: Begging the Question
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6U56pMc4_s
    Source snippet

    Circular reasoning begging the question fallacy Simpsons [Logical Fallacies]({{ 'logical-fallacies/' | relative_url }}): Circular Reasoning Colburn Classroom...

  5. Source: link.springer.com
    Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10503-024-09640-1
    Source snippet

    Around in Circles | Argumentation | Springer Nature LinkNovember 29, 2024 — GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES Begging the Question and the Structur...

    Published: November 29, 2024

  6. Source: asa3.org
    Link: https://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/circular.htm
    Source snippet

    In this fallacy...

  7. Source: youtube.com
    Title: Are you Begging the Question?
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAXKc-rvMa8
    Source snippet

    Critical Thinking #16: Begging the Question...

  8. Source: youtube.com
    Title: Circular reasoning and begging the question
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aizAxS5Fm0
    Source snippet

    Are you Begging the Question? - Gentleman Thinker...

  9. Source: youtube.com
    Title: What is Circular Reasoning?
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyigEEx5194
    Source snippet

    Circular reasoning and begging the question...

  10. Source: youtube.com
    Title: Simpsons Logical Fallacies: Circular Reasoning
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH8VttNKiO8
    Source snippet

    What is Circular Reasoning?...

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