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{{merge from|Beg the question}}

{{merge from|Beg the question}}

'''Circular reasoning''' is a form of [[Logical fallacy#Proof by assertion|proof by assertion]], often used by [[Atheist|Atheists]] and [[evolutionist]]s in which one uses a conclusion of an argument as a [[premise]] to that same argument, that is, ending where it began. This is also known as ''petitio principii'' or ''begging the question.''

'''Circular reasoning''' is a form of [[Logical fallacy#Proof by assertion|proof by assertion]], often used by Christians and Evangelicals in which one uses a conclusion of an argument as a [[premise]] to that same argument (The Bible is true because it is the Word of God, it is the Word of God because it says so in the Bible) , 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]].

It is considered invalid and therefore is not permitted by the rules of [[formal logic]].

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.

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.

==Examples==

==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.

*Christians use circular logic to defend the Bible.  They argue that the Bible is true because it is the Word of God, that it is the Word of God because it says so, and that we can rely on it because it is true. Almost all religions worldwide use this sort of reasoning in order to assert their individual beliefs' validity.

*[[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. This is '''completely''' [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge |different]] from why the [[Bible]] is true.

*[[Evolutionist]]s will claim that a fossil is millions of years old because that is the date given by [[radiometric dating]]; then state that it is reliable because they "know" that the fossil is millions of years old due to the [[strata]] in which it was found; additionally because the radiometric dating methods agree with each other, and date correctly materials which were historically dated by humans.

==See also==

==See also==

*[[No true Scotsman]], a specific example of circular reasoning

*[[No true Scotsman]], a specific example of circular reasoning

== Reference ==

== Reference ==