Circular Reasoning Definition and Examples

Circular Reasoning

Circular reasoning is a type of logical fallacy. A logical fallacy is basically a failure of reasoning. It’s important as a reader to recognize logical fallacies, because they diminish the value of the author’s message. Since circular reasoning is a type of logical fallacy, we could also call circular reasoning a failure of reasoning.

More specifically, we can define it as reasoning that offers no support for assertions other than restating them in different words. Another way to define this is to say circular arguments refer to themselves as evidence of truth. If you find an argument that refers to itself as evidence of truth, then you know it’s a circular argument.

Circular reasoning is one of the more difficult logical fallacies to identify, because it is typically hidden behind dense language and complicated sentences. A simple example of circular argument is when a person uses a word to define itself. “Niceness is the state of being nice.” If you as the reader do not know what the word “nice” means, then the sentence won’t be very much help to you. Right here we have a little bit more of a complicated example. This is what you are more likely to find in your reading.

It says, “Poverty is a problem for society, because it creates trouble for people throughout the community.” It is redundant to say that poverty is a problem because it creates trouble. When an author engages in circular reasoning, like this right here, it is either because he or she has not fully thought out the argument or because they can not come up with any legitimate justifications.

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by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: February 18, 2022