Circular reasoning is when an argument assumes what it’s trying to prove. Though often considered fallacies, circular arguments aren’t always illogical; they’re usually just too arbitrary to be persuasive. Yet some circular reasoning is necessary for logical thinking. Here’s how to detect—and avoid using—the fallacious kind of circular reasoning.
One objection to Christianity is that it’s circular reasoning to say, “God’s Word is true because the Bible says so.” And left at that, this argument is indeed circular. Does that mean Christianity is founded on a fallacy? The short answer is no, but let’s unpack why.
The horse fossil record is one of the clearest examples of “evidence for evolution” known to science. At least, that’s what many museums and textbooks say. Is there more to the history of horses than many students are told? Let’s apply some key critical thinking checks to find out.
Propaganda is a key driver of today’s consumer culture, but it hasn’t always been like this. By looking back at where modern propaganda techniques came from, we can be become more aware of how propagandists operate, and how to think critically about their messages. Here’s the story behind modern ...
