circular argument
Self-supporting logic flaw
A circular argument is reasoning that assumes what it's trying to prove—the conclusion appears as one of the premises.
The Bible is true because it's the word of God, and we know it's the word of God because the Bible says so.
Also called begging the question, though that phrase has drifted toward simply raising a question.
Assuming what needs proof
- logical fallacyError in reasoning
- sophismMisleading logical trickery
- non sequiturIllogical conclusion or remark
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
false premise · self-justifying · faulty reasoning · red herring · straw man · ad hominem · special pleading
Foundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- tautologyRedundant or circular statement
- self-referentialAlluding to itself
- circularityState of being round
loop · cycle · axiom · assumption · assertion · claim · proposition · supporting evidence
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- challengeTest of ability
objection · response · critique · disputation · point of contention · gotcha · calling out · exposing
Without legal force
- flawedHaving faults or imperfections
- unsoundWeak or flawed
- unconvincingNot able to persuade
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
baseless · unfounded · weak · hollow · empty · meaningless · absurd · illogical
begging the question
Assuming what needs proof
- logical fallacyError in reasoning
- sophismMisleading logical trickery
- non sequiturIllogical conclusion or remark
equivocation · false premise · self-justifying · faulty reasoning · red herring · straw man · ad hominem · special pleading
premise
Foundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- tautologyRedundant or circular statement
- self-referentialAlluding to itself
circularity · loop · cycle · axiom · assumption · assertion · claim · proposition · supporting evidence · proof
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
challenge · objection · response · critique · disputation · point of contention · gotcha · calling out · exposing · dismantling
invalid
Without legal force
- flawedHaving faults or imperfections
- unsoundWeak or flawed
- unconvincingNot able to persuade
unsubstantiated · baseless · unfounded · weak · hollow · empty · meaningless · absurd · illogical · irrational
- Self-referenceself-reference, self-referential, recursion, recursive, meta
- futile argumentsbeating dead horse, going in circles, dead end, lost cause, moot point
circular argumentsound argument
Logically valid reasoning
valid argument · logical proof · mathematical proof · logical deduction · proof
circular, argument, circle, circulate, circulation, circulatory, circuitous, circuit, circuitry