circular argument
A 'circular argument' is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premise, leading to an invalid reasoning loop.
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Definition
C1Logic
(technical, academic)A reasoning error where the conclusion is assumed in the premises, resulting in an argument that supports itself without external evidence.
Example
- Saying 'I am trustworthy because I say I am' is a circular argument.
C1Philosophy
(academic)An argument that commits the fallacy of assuming what it is trying to prove, creating a logical loop.
Example
- The claim 'God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because God wrote it' is a circular argument.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "circular argument":
epistemic circularityargue round and roundvicious circlepetitio principii