circular argument; circular reasoning; begging the question
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 2 examplesnoun
circular argument; circular reasoning; begging the question
technicalIn formal logic, this is a fallacy of circular reasoning (petitio principii) where the conclusion is implicitly or explicitly assumed in the premises, making the argument invalid.
Yòng用
"
shèng圣
jīng经
shì是
shén神
de的
huà话
yǔ语
suǒ所
yǐ以
zhēn真
shí实
"
lái来
zhèng证
míng明
"
shén神
cún存
zài在
"
，
yòu又
yòng用
"
shén神
cún存
zài在
"
zhèng证
míng明
"
shèng圣
jīng经
zhēn真
shí实
"
，
zhè这
jiù就
shì是
xún循
huán环
lùn论
zhèng证
。
Using "the Bible is true because it is God's word" to prove "God exists," and then using "God exists" to prove "the Bible is true" is circular reasoning.
Tā他
shuō说
"
wǒ我
shì是
duì对
de的
yīn因
wéi为
wǒ我
cōng聪
ming明
，
wǒ我
cōng聪
ming明
yīn因
wéi为
wǒ我
shì是
duì对
de的
"
，
zhè这
míng明
xiǎn显
fàn犯
le了
xún循
huán环
lùn论
zhèng证
de的
cuò错
wù误
。
He said, "I'm right because I'm smart, and I'm smart because I'm right," which clearly commits the error of circular reasoning.