Circular Reasoning
A type of reasoning where the proposition is supported by premises that are themselves supported by the proposition, creating a closed loop that fails to provide new or useful information.
THE IDEA
Circular Reasoning
circulus in demonstrando (also known as: paradoxical thinking, circular argument, circular cause and consequence, circular definition [form of])
Description: A proposition is supported by premises whose support depends on that same proposition. The argument provides no independent reason to accept its conclusion. The circularity can be humorous when stated plainly.
Logical Form:
- Claim X is true because of Y.
- Y is true because of X.
Example #1:
- From the movie Idiocracy:
- Joe: "So what are electrolytes? Do you even know?"
- Soldier: "They're what they use to make Brawndo!"
- Joe: "But why do they use them to make Brawndo?"
- Soldier: "Because Brawndo's got electrolytes!"
- Explanation: No information about what electrolytes actually are is provided; the answer just loops back to the product.
Example #2:
- Nigerian prince scam: An email claims you will receive a billion dollars if you send a $50,000 goodwill fee. The email ends with: "I, prince Nubadola, assure you that this is my message and it is legitimate. You can trust this e-mail and any others that come from me."
- Explanation: The email's own assertion is used to prove its legitimacy, creating a circular justification.
Distinction: Reasoning from stated axioms or first principles is not automatically circular. The question is whether the support offered for a conclusion already depends on accepting that conclusion.
Tip: Do your best to avoid circular arguments, as it will help you reason better. Better reasoning is often a result of avoiding circular arguments.
Variation: A circular definition is defining a term by using the term in the definition. For example, defining "definition" as "a definition of a term" ironically illustrates the problem.
When to use it
When analyzing arguments in debates, check if a premise simply restates the conclusion.
When encountering a definition, ensure it does not use the term being defined.
In scientific reasoning, watch for hypotheses that are supported only by themselves without external evidence.
When reading product claims, be wary of assertions that rely on the product's own marketing as proof.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Idiocracy Electrolytes
In the movie Idiocracy, Pvt. Joe Bowers asks soldiers what electrolytes are. They respond that electrolytes are what they use to make Brawndo, and when asked why they use them, they reply 'Because Brawndo's got electrolytes!' The argument goes in a circle, providing no real information about what electrolytes actually are.
Nigerian Prince Email
A scam email from 'Prince Nubadola' promises a billion dollars if you send a $50,000 goodwill fee. When you doubt its legitimacy, the email assures you it is legitimate because it says so in the email itself: 'I, prince Nubadola, assure you that this is my message and it is legitimate. You can trust this e-mail and any others that come from me.' This circular reasoning is used to justify the claim without external evidence.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a time you used circular reasoning in an argument? How could you have broken the loop?
When evaluating a claim, what steps can you take to ensure you are not relying on circular justification?
How might circular reasoning be disguised in political or advertising slogans?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies