Begging the
Question/Circular
Reasoning
By: Matthew Bunnell &
Brittany Milton
7th Period
Definition
• Circular Reasoning - a use of reason in which the
premises depends on or is equivalent to the
conclusion, a method of false logic by which "this
is used to prove that, and that is used to prove
this"; also called circular logic.
• For example, whenever someone uses a definition
or explanation that includes part of the question as
his or her answer, it is as if that person has been
talking in a circle, rather than making their answer
clear. This shows circular reasoning.
Picture Analogy
This picture shows
circular reasoning
because of the way that
the boy answers the
question. The boy uses
words from the question
to help “prove” his answer
that can ultimately be
concluded as faulty logic.
The principle of the
question is used to help
support the answer.
Universal Example
This image is one of the
most common real life
examples to demonstrate
circular reasoning. Any
individual that believes in a
form of religion does not
need logic to prove their
beliefs. They “support” their
personal beliefs by their
faith. When answering
questions about their
beliefs, individuals seem to
exhibit faulty logic through
circular reasoning.
The Crucible Example
Mrs. Putnam: I know it, sir. I
sent my child-she should
learn from Tituba who
murdered my sisters.
Rebecca: Goody Ann! You
sent a child to conjure up
the dead?
Mrs. Putnam: Let God blame
me, not you, not you,
Rebecca. I’ll not having you
judging me any more! It is a
natural work to lose seven
children before they live a
day?
Pg. 185
Explanation
In Act 1 of The Crucible,
the conversation between
Ann Putnam and
Rebecca is an example of
circular reasoning. Mrs.
Putnam is answering
Rebecca’s question with
faulty logic by saying that
she lost her children do to
witchcraft. By using the
premise of Rebecca’s
argument and question,
Goody Ann provides an
answer that is ultimately
false logic.
The Crucible Example
Hale: But, woman, you do
believe there are witches
inElizabeth: If you think that I
am one, then I say there
are none.
Pg. 200
Explanation
In Act 2, Elizabeth’s quote
about whether or not she
is a witch shows circular
reasoning. The premise
of the question impacts
her answer. Elizabeth
uses faulty logic when
answering by using what
Mr. Hale is inquiring
about to answer the
question.
The Crucible Example
Martha Corey: I am
innocent to a witch. I
know not what a witch
is.
Hawthorne: How do you
know, then, that you
are not a witch?
Martha Corey: If I were, I
would know it.
Pg. 207
Explanation
In Act 3, the discussion
between Martha Corey
and Judge Hawthorne is
an example of circular
reasoning. Martha
Corey’s answer is an
example of false logic.
She says that she does
not know what a witch is,
but later answers
Hawthorne’s question by
saying that if she were a
witch she would know it.
Works Cited
“Circular reasoning.” Dictionary.com.
Dictionary.com. n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
Godwin, Kathryn. “Cir 1.” Useaslingshot.
Wiki. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.
E-nklings.com. Curefaith.com. 2011. Web.
16 Feb. 2012.