'''Circular reasoning''' is a form of [[Logical fallacy#Proof by assertion|proof by assertion]] , often used by [[Atheist]]s and [[evolutionist]]s in which one uses a [[conclusion ]] of an argument as the a [[premise]] to that same argument, that is, ending where it began. This is also known as ''petitio principii'' or ''begging the question.'' It is considered invalid and therefore is not permitted by the rules of [[formal logic]].Nevertheless, circular reasoning is the current trend in [[science]] or rather [[postmodern science]], respectively, when new discoveries are interpreted within the prevailing paradigms so as to appear to bolster it, especially by using the popular media.<ref name="DismantlingBB">{{cite book|author=Alex Williams, John Hartnett|title=Dismantling the Big Bang|publisher=Master Books|location=Green Forest, AR, USA|year=2005|page=101|pages=269|isbn=978-0-89051-437-5|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=FR7basoxkSwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hartnett+dismantling+the+big+bang&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JvNwT_6nJJOP4gTP6fG_Ag&sqi=2&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hartnett%20dismantling%20the%20big%20bang&f=false}}</ref>
== An analysis ==
*Therefore, P.
Each of these three conditional statements would be valid by itself. Together, they create a flawed argument, because P now depends on itself to be true. The line of reasoning ends where it began, and is thus a circle. The only difference between this and ''proof by assertion'' is that the latter attempts to use a single conditional statement--"if P, then P"--while —while circular reasoning uses at least two, and typically three or more, syllogisms.
Circular arguments can be very difficult to detect. Circular arguments found in the professional literature, or in [[propaganda]], typically use five or six (or more) syllogisms.
Every logical system ''must'' begin with a set of generally accepted assumptions called ''postulates'' or ''axioms'' (from the [[Greek]] '''αξιος''' or ''axios'' worthy or deserving). Similarly, any set of definitions must start with a set of fundamental terms that need no definition. An axiom is usually a fundamental property of nature upon which all agree. Persons attempting to show that something is a fundamental property of nature when it is not, or a value of that property that is contrary to fact, typically use circular reasoning to make such an attempt.
==Begging the question==
'''Begging the question''' is a form of circular reasoning in which a claim is automatically assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. The phrase is commonly confused with "raising the question," an error that has gained traction through incorrect popular usage.<ref>http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-beg1.htm</ref>
==Examples==
*Atheists use circular logic to "disprove" the existence of [[God]]. That is, they presuppose that God does not exist and then argue that all proofs for the existence of God must be flawed because He does not exist. Christians can use [[presuppositional apologetics]] to break the circle of the atheists' circular reasoning.
*[[Muslim]]s also use circular logic to defend the [[Qur'an]]. They argue that the Qur'an is true because it is the Word of [[Allah]], that it is the Word of Allah because it says so, and that we can rely on it because it is true.
*[[Mormon]]s and certain [[Protestantism|Protestants]] use circular reasoning to prove that a [[Great Apostasy]] occurred early in Christianity, based on the assertion that their own doctrines represent [[Early Christianity|New Testament Christianity]] and that [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodoxy]] are clearly [[Apostasy|apostate]], from the fact that Catholic and Orthodox doctrines are evident in the writings of the [[Apostolic Fathers|Apostolic]] and [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]] before A.D. 325.
*"If such actions were not illegal, then they would not be prohibited by the law."
*Person 1:"He is very ugly."
:Person 2: Why do you say that?"
:Person 1: "Because he is so unattractive."
== Reference See also==*[[No true Scotsman]], a specific example of circular reasoning== References ==<references/>
== External links ==
* [http://creationwiki.org/Circular_reasoning Circular reasoning] by [[CreationWiki]]
[[Category:Logical Fallacies]]
[[Category:Liberal Traits]]