Circular thinking: We've all seen our parents do it - think about it, but how? (2023)

FAQs

What is circular thinking in psychology? ›

a type of informal fallacy in which a conclusion is reached that is not materially different from something that was assumed as a premise of the argument. In other words, the argument assumes what it is supposed to prove.

Circular reasoning fallacy uses circular reasoning to support an argument. More specifically, the evidence used to support a claim is just a repetition of the claim itself. For example: “The President of the United States is a good leader (claim), because they are the leader of this country (supporting evidence)”.

The circular reasoning fallacy is an argument that assumes the very thing it is trying to prove is true. Instead of offering evidence, it simply repeats the conclusion, rendering the argument logically incoherent.

Circular reasoning (Latin: circulus in probando, "circle in proving"; also known as circular logic) is a logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with.

These circular thinking patterns are rooted in irrational beliefs fueled by anxiety and fear. Growing awareness and understanding of these thoughts will help you not be afraid of them, which stops them from having control over you. Don't be afraid to seek help if you are having a hard time managing obsessive thoughts.

Examples of circular motion are carousels or merry-go-rounds in parks, a car going around a roundabout, the moon orbiting around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the Sun.

For example, it may be about who should turn out the light or who should say “I'm sorry”. These can become circular arguments if the disagreement becomes a proxy for an underlying feeling, such as “I feel disrespected”, “I feel hurt” or “I feel afraid”.

Begging the question is a logical fallacy in which an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion. Arguments that beg the question work to obscure the actual points in controversy and can be looked at as a form of circular reasoning.

To illustrate what we meant by “you can't define something by using it as the definition,” here are a few examples of a circular argument: Ryan makes delicious burgers because he's an excellent cook. You have to drive under the speed limit because it's illegal to drive faster than the speed limit.

What is the word for circular reasoning? ›

4) The fallacy of circular argument, known as petitio principii (“begging the question”), occurs when the premises presume, openly or covertly, the very conclusion that is to be demonstrated (example: “Gregory always votes wisely.” “ But how do you know?” “ Because he always votes Libertarian.”).

Begging the Question (also called Petitio Principii, this term is sometimes used interchangeably with Circular Reasoning): If writers assume as evidence for their argument the very conclusion they are attempting to prove, they engage in the fallacy of begging the question.

Rumination and OCD

Rumination is a core feature of OCD that causes a person to spend an inordinate amount time worrying about, analyzing, and trying to understand or clarify a particular thought or theme.

Importantly, however, rumination is not only related to depression, but is involved in the development and/or maintenance of a broad range of disorders, including post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, insomnia, eating disorders, somatic symptom disorder, and substance use disorders2, 3.

This anxiety spiral — also known as “catastrophic thinking” or “magnifying,” — is cognitive distortion that often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. Think of your brain as a rocky mountain: one single negative thought loosens an avalanche of related anxieties.

Medication. If frequent rumination is damaging the esophagus, proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium) or omeprazole (Prilosec) may be prescribed. These medications can protect the lining of the esophagus until behavior therapy reduces the frequency and severity of regurgitation.

A cognitive/emotive loop is a repeating pattern where thoughts and beliefs produce feelings that fuel our rightness about our stories, that then further intensify our feelings, and on and on. They burn energy and get in the way of progress.

It's just another indication of elevated stress and/or fatigue. It's not an indication of serious mental illness. Most people experience stuck thoughts from time to time. It becomes more prevalent when stress and fatigue are factors.

Examples of circular motion include: an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth at a constant height, a fan's blades rotating around a hub, a stone which is tied to a rope and is being swung in circles, a car turning through a curve in a race track, an electron moving perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field, and a ...

Gaslighting is the circular conversation that you have where no one ever wins. It is the argument that never ends, because there is no resolution that is satisfactory to the narcissist, who never compromises.

What is circularity in philosophy? ›

Circularity: An argument is circular just in case there is a premise, either implicit or explicit, that is logically equivalent to the conclusion. That is, the premise and the conclusion must have the same truth conditions.

If you are worried that an argument begs the question, then, try breaking it down into premises and a conclusion. This should help you spot any circularity and work out whether there is a “gap” you need to fill.

For example, if someone says “I think that we should give better study guides to students”, a person using a strawman might reply by saying “I think that your idea is bad, because we shouldn't just give out easy A's to everyone”.

Circular reasoning, or circular argument, is a logical fallacy in which a person attempts to prove something using circular logic; they use the conclusion as evidence to show that the reasons for the very conclusion are true.

a type of informal fallacy or a persuasive technique in which a temporal sequence of events is assumed to be a causal sequence of events. Thus, because B follows A, A is considered the cause of B. For example, Because Smith became angry after being frustrated, Smith's frustration caused Smith's anger.

Circular arguments are those relational spats that go round and round without ever being resolved. For instance, a woman might say to her husband, “You're always late.” He responds, “You nag me too much.” She says back, “Then be ready next time.” His retort: “I was this way when you met me.”

A tautological argument is otherwise known as a circular argument, that is, one that begins by assuming the very thing that is meant to be proven by the argument itself.

Circular arguments make us believe that our arguments result in a proposition being true, but that then implies that the same proposition must be false which implies that it must be true etc ad infinitum. A paradox. The simplest examples of such statements are "This sentence is false" or "I am always lying".

In traditional philosophy and logic, a non sequitur is classified as a logical fallacy because it involves flawed reasoning. This fallacy occurs when it is readily apparent that there's no connection between a given premise and the conclusion drawn.

Non sequiturs can be responses that have nothing to do with the conversation or flawed conclusions “based” on what preceded them. Non sequitur fallacy example Premise 1: All birds have wings. Premise 2: That creature has wings. Conclusion: Therefore, that creature is a bird.

What is an example of circular reasoning in advertising? ›

Circular Argument

' It is when the same point is repeated and again without adding any additional information. In this fallacy, the claim is used as a premise and conclusion. A good circular argument example is, “Fake news is fake because it is fake news.”

Analysis. This example of Martha Corey defending herself as not being a witch is an example of begging the question/circular reasoning. This is because she claims not to be a witch for she does not know what one is.

Example: I know i'm smart because i have a big brain. Circular Reasoning is when you use to terms that don't really explain anything but they just go in a circle. Example: I know i'm smart because i have a big brain.

Circular reasoning happens when someone uses the conclusion as one of their premises. When an arguer commits circular reasoning, they assume that the conclusion they're stating is true, rather than proving it's true. To prove a conclusion, you need to bring forward reasons that are independent of the conclusion.

Examples: "Jones is an honest man. I know this is true, since Jones told me so himself, and an honest man like Jones surely wouldn't lie about something like that." "Everything Picasso draws is great art, even when he is just doodling on his napkin.

The premise of this argument (that doing drugs is illegal) is the same as the reasoning (it's against the law). This argument is circular because it returns to the beginning: It's against the law to do drugs because doing drugs is illegal, and, it's illegal to do drugs because it's against the law.

The Crucible is a play based off historical events that unfolded in the town of Salem that highlights the effects of hysteria and explores the fear that can create critical issues in a society. Examples of this include the Ebola outbreak, the West Bank Fainting Epidemic and the Borneo Kidnapping Scare.

(Begging the Question or Circular Argument) Abstract: Petitio principii is a logical fallacy where the conclusion of an argument is claimed to be proved by an equivalent statement in the premises. Furthermore, one of the premises is logically dependent on the conclusion of the argument.

Circular reasoning is an attempt to support a statement by simply repeating the statement in different or stronger terms. In this fallacy, the reason given is nothing more than a restatement of the conclusion that poses as the reason for the conclusion.

Question begging (circular reasoning) This fallacy occurs when a person assumes what he or she is trying to prove. For this reason, question begging is also known as [circular] reasoning, because the arguer ends up where he or she began.

How do you argue against circular reasoning? ›

In order to avoid circular reasoning, careful analysis of the reasoning behind the premises and that one or more of the premises are not reliant on – or the same as – the conclusion for their validity. In a logical argument premises need to be valid on their own logical merit in order to support a conclusion.

Begging the question is when you use the point you're trying to prove as an argument to prove that very same point. Rather than proving the conclusion is true, it assumes it. It's also called circular reasoning and is a logical fallacy.