Fallacy 1 of 2

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Begging the Question

F039 • Informal - Presumption

Also known as: Petitio Principii, Circular Reasoning, Circular Argument

Difficulty 2/10Medium LoadCommon

Definition

Assuming the truth of the conclusion in the premises. The argument is circular: it presupposes what it aims to prove.

Why Invalid

An argument should provide independent reasons for the conclusion. If the conclusion is assumed in the premises, the argument provides no new justification.

Examples

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Scope of Applicability

  1. Examine if premises assume conclusion
  2. Check if conclusion is merely reworded in premises
  3. Look for circular chains of reasoning
  4. Verify if independent justification is provided

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing with deductive validity (all valid deduction is circular in a sense)
  • Not recognizing wide circles
  • Treating all definition-based arguments as circular

Related Concepts

Data DredgingOverfittingFake Causality

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P006 Rationalist Taboo
Return to 2.3 Going in Circles