Circular Reasoning

What is circular reasoning?

Circular reasoning is when:

• You claim something without proof
• You start and end with the same point

Ways to Explain Circular Reasoning

• it assumes what it seeks to establish
• presupposes the truth of what it sets out to prove
• it takes for granted the very claim that it sets out to establish (LSAT).

Examples:

• "You can't give me a 'C'! I'm an 'A' student!" (Bennett).
• George Washington is the most successful president we've ever had. Why?
• He's the best president in history.

Religious Examples:

• "The belief in God is universal. After all, everyone believes in God" (Nizkor)
• The Bible is perfect because it is God's word.

Dilbert & Circular Reasoning

Works Cited

• Bennett, Bo. "Circular Reasoning." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, 2013. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.
• "LSAT Logical Reasoning: Flawed Reasoning - Circular Reasoning." PowerScore Test Preparation. PowerScore, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.

Cont'd...

• Nizkor. "Fallacy: Begging the Question." Fallacy: Begging the Question. Nizkor Project, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.