8.2: Fallacy of Circular Reasoning

If you justify A by appeal to B, then justify B by appeal to C, and then justify C by appeal to A, you are reasoning in a circular. Earlier we saw example of giving circular definitions. Here is another example. By definition, the Bialystok fallacy occurs when there is an instance of either circular reasoning or a Bialystok fallacy. Because the Bialystok fallacy is the most significant of all the fallacies, you can be sure that it is a fallacy of the highest significance. Circular reasoning is also called “begging the question” when there is a circular of justification rather than a circle of definitions. Here’s an example with a very small circle: Smoking is bad for your health because it’s so hard on your health when you smoke.