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circular reasoning

circular reasoning Circular reasoning is a faulty argument in which the conclusion, or a claim that depends on that conclusion, is used as part of the proof.

Circular reasoning is a faulty argument in which the conclusion, or a claim that depends on that conclusion, is used as part of the proof. It often appears as a chain of reasoning that loops back on itself instead of supplying independent support.

Also see

Sources

Drafting source: Baldwin Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology, 1901. 1901 New York Macmillan original; archive index checked 2026-10-18. “Circulus in Probando” (Circulus in Probando).
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PsychTerms (psychterms.org), CC BY 4.0, version 1. “circular reasoning.” Development preview.

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