Circular Reasoning: When the Conclusion Is the Premise

Recognize arguments that assume what they are trying to prove.

Circular reasoning, also called begging the question in its traditional logical sense, occurs when an argument's conclusion is already assumed in its premises. The argument appears to move forward but actually returns to where it began. Worked example: 'This news source is trustworthy because it always tells the truth. ' How do we know it always tells the truth? Because it is trustworthy. The reason and the claim are the same idea in different words. Another: 'Reading is important because it matters. ' 'Important' and 'matters' are synonyms, so no reason is offered.

Circular arguments can be hard to spot when the restatement uses different vocabulary or is separated by several sentences. To test for circularity, rewrite the reason in plain words and ask whether it simply restates the claim. Note that in casual speech 'begs the question' often means 'raises the question'; in logic it means assuming the conclusion.

• 1Circular reasoning assumes its conclusion in its premises.
• 2Synonyms can disguise a restated claim.
• 3Rewrite the reason plainly and compare it to the claim.