Logical

Circular Reasoning

What it is

An argument structure where the conclusion is used as one of its own premises, creating a loop that proves nothing.

How it works

Unlike simple question-begging, circular reasoning can involve longer chains that loop back to the starting point. A supports B, B supports C, and C supports A. Each step seems to provide evidence, but the entire structure is self-referential. The longer the chain, the harder it is to detect the circularity.

Real-world examples

  • •"This news source is reliable because the fact-checkers say so, and I trust the fact-checkers because this news source recommends them."
  • •"The law is just because it was passed by legitimate authorities, who are legitimate because they follow the law."
  • •"The market price is fair because that's what buyers will pay, and buyers pay that because the price is fair."

Ethical guidelines

  • ●Arguments must eventually ground out in independently verifiable premises.
  • ●Self-referential justification systems are intellectually closed and resistant to correction.
  • ●Honest reasoning requires at least one premise that doesn't depend on the conclusion.

How to defend against it

  • ►Trace the chain of evidence: does it eventually ground out in independent facts, or loop back?
  • ►For any key claim, ask: "What would change my mind about this?" If nothing would, it may be circular.
  • ►Map out the logical structure of an argument to expose hidden loops.

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