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Circulus in Demonstrando
(circular argument)
and
Petitio Principii (begging the
question). .
By: Ashley Lewis
Circular Argument
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This fallacy occurs if you assume the basis of
the argument and the conclusion which you
wish to reach. Often, the proposition is
rephrased so that the fallacy appears to be a
valid argument . In other words arguing in a
circle is first using a premise to prove a
conclusion, and then using the conclusion to
prove the premise
Begging the question
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This fallacy occurs when the premises are at least as
questionable as the conclusion reached. Typically the
premises of the argument assume the result of what is
trying to be proven.
The truth of A is assumed within the original premise
about A. But A is not really proven by the argument.
This may occur in a simple statement or a more
complex statements that go around in a circle and
eventually 'prove' the original statement to be true.
Circular argument (example)
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“Marijuana is illegal in every state in the nation. And we all
know that you shouldn't violate the law. Since smoking pot is
illegal, you shouldn't smoke pot. And since you shouldn't
smoke pot, it is the duty of the government to stop people
from smoking it, which is why marijuana is illegal!”
Circular arguments are always illegitimated .The best strategy
for pointing out a circular argument is to make sure you can
state clearly the proposition being proven, and then point out
where the proof is in the proposition.
In other words, the writer is trying to tell the reader that X is
true because X is true! But the writer doesn’t tell the reader
why it's true.
Begging the Question (example)
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“ The fact that we believe pornography should
be legal means that it is a valid form of free
expression. And since it's free expression, it
shouldn't be banned."
This begs the question of what free expression
means. This is a misuse of terminology, and
then a conclusion is reached on the matter
without the question even being answered.
How to avoid the fallacies
There are three parts to good argumentative writing:
1.Premises : assumptions the argument is built on; or to look at it
another way, the reasons for accepting the argument.
2.Inference : you start with one or more suggestions which have
been accepted and explained in great detail; you then use
those proposals to arrive at a new proposition.
3.Conclusion :The conclusion is to be confirmed on the basis of
the premises, and the inference from them.
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In every piece of argumentative writing these three components
will ensure a fallacy free paper.
Citation
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Cline, Austin . "Fallacies of Presumption."
Agnosticism / Atheism. ©2009 About.com. 6 Apr
2009
Mathew. "Logic & Fallacies: Constructing a Logical
Argument." secular web library. infidels. 6 Apr 2009
Mesher, David . "Introduction to Fallacious Appeals
." MISSION CRITICAL. san jose state university. 6
Apr 2009
Whitman, Glen . "Logical Fallacies and the Art of
Debate." DEBATE. 29 January 2001. Economics
California State University, Northridge. 6 Apr 2009