circular argument

• circular logic

circular argument (plural circular arguments)

1. (informal) A term often conflated with begging the question in philosophy.
2. (philosophy, logic) An argument which commits the logical fallacy of assuming what it is attempting to prove.
   • 2004, M Bergmann, "Epistemic Circularity: Malignant and Benign." Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, vol. 69, no. 3 (Nov), p. 710 n3,

     A logically circular argument’s conclusion is included as one of its premises.

In informal usage, circular argument is synonymous with begging the question; in formal usage, these are distinct.

• circular reasoning
• (informal, logic) begging the question
• petitio principii