Common Logical Fallacies (viii)

In this chapter we will begin by addressing another common informal logical fallacy called 

Circular Reasoning or Begging the Question

Says AI Overview from a Google search:

"Begging the question is a type of circular reasoning that occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of its conclusion. In other words, the conclusion is used as a premise to support itself. 

 

Explanation - Begging the question is a logical fallacy that can be persuasive to people who don't recognize it or who already agree with the conclusion. 

 

It can be difficult to identify because the premise and conclusion may use synonyms. 

 

Begging the question is also known as petitio principii, which is Latin for "assuming the original point"." 

Circular reasoning fallacy occurs when the evidence used to support a claim is just a repetition of the claim itself. Such circular reasoning or begging the question fallacy is like a tautology. 

We see this fallacy objected to in many court trials where a prosecutor or defense attorney objects to a question by saying "objection, the question assumes a fact not yet proven as a fact." It is objected to because it is circular reasoning or a begging of the question. An example is when a Prosecutor speaks to a defendant and says: "So how did you feel when you killed your wife?" The conclusion is the same as the premise. It is what we might call a "loaded question." That is defined by Google AI as follows:

"A loaded question is a complex question that contains a controversial assumption or falsehood. The question's purpose is to limit the respondent's answer to one that serves the questioner's agenda. Loaded questions are a type of logical fallacy that can be used to derail rational debates." 

Another example is in these words: "This book is the best because it is the most popular, and it's the most popular because it is the best." 

It is easy to see the circular reasoning in this statement. Another example is in this sentence: "Women shouldn’t fight bulls because women shouldn’t fight bulls."

In the bible we find several instances where such an logical fallacy is seen in the argumentation of those who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. 

"Jesus is not from God because he healed on the Sabbath." (John 9: 16)

This argument assumes that their strict interpretation of Sabbath rules is the definitive standard for God's will, without providing external evidence to support that claim, and is therefore begging the question. 

In the same dialogue in John chapter nine the Pharisees ask a rhetorical question: “How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?” and "Give God the glory; we know that this man is a sinner." (John 9: 16, 24 nkjv)

Begging the question is clearly seen in this argumentation. The Pharisees did not prove that Jesus was a sinner, but assumed that as both a premise and a conclusion. 

False Dilemma or Dichotomy

"A "False Dilemma" or "Dichotomy" fallacy is a logical fallacy where an argument presents only two extreme options as if they are the only possible choices, ignoring the existence of a wider range of possibilities, often using "either/or" language to force a decision between these two extremes; essentially, it is a misleading simplification of a complex issue by presenting a false choice between two options when more exist." (AI) 

"The false dilemma fallacy occurs when someone misrepresents an issue by offering only two options (when more exist) or by presenting the options as mutually exclusive (when they are not)." (Ibid)

I have often seen this fallacy. I have heard people say "you only have two choices, either A or B" and I have often retorted and said "or both." Of course, there are times when there are only two options. But, often, this is said when there are actually more than two choices. We see lots of these in the bible. 

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matt. 12: 43 kjv)

He also said in the same chapter - "He that is not with me is against me." (vs. 30)

One example of where people use this fallacy is when they ask "if Jesus God or man?" Here the question fails to see another option which is that Jesus is both God and man.

This will end this series on common logical fallacies. There are more such fallacies that we could talk about but these are the most common. I would encourage all to look at those other fallacies at some of the web sites I have referred to in this series. Knowing these fallacies will help you from being led astray by such invalid reasoning.