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Begging the question

Assuming the conclusion within the premises offered to support it.

Published 04 August 2026Updated 04 August 2026

Begging the question, or circular reasoning, occurs when an argument's support depends on accepting the very claim it is supposed to prove. The repair is to supply an independent reason that could be evaluated without already granting the conclusion.

Sources

Fallacies (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy / 2024 / Website

Canonical philosophical treatment of fallacy types.