I'm taking a philossphy 101 course, but the teacher's brief explanation was of no help. I know it's when the conclusion is the premise or whatever, but what the hell does that mean? Maybe an example would help.
2007-09-18 13:32:46 · 7 answers · asked by Matt 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
There are two different things this could mean, the second is my philosophical understanding. The first is when an assumption is a veiled form of another idea which is found in the conclusion, this is a bad way to "argue" or reason.
But secondly an assumption must be given for any line of reasoning which leads to a conclusion, that conclusion is an assumption for another line of reasoning leading to another conclusion. This can go on and on until you complete a circle, so then do you have a proof or not?
The answer depends on the reasoning. Is the logical argument reasonable as applied logic or inferential logic?
One problem is taking a group and all comming to agreement on a particular assumption, if you can agree then through deductive logic all should agree on the conclusion. But some will not on the basis that the reasoning is not to be applied as some see it, some want to see things in a wider context, thus introducing other assumptions, which do not agree with the implied other assumptions of others in the group.
Excellent question, but a sticky subject.
2007-09-18 13:47:14 · answer #1 · answered by David L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I know it's when the conclusion is the premise or whatever"
Its when it's BOTH:
Premise:
1. The Bible says that the bible is true
2. The Bible is true
Conclusion:
3. The Bible is true
(Draw an arrow from 2 to three then from 3 to 2 and you'll see the circularity)
Also known as "begging the question"
2007-09-19 11:56:56 · answer #2 · answered by anthonypaullloyd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A circular argument generally follows the pattern laid out in the children's song, "There's a Hole in the Bucket". ^_^
The idea is, you start with a Premise, like, "There's a Hole in the Bucket, Dear Liza...." and then as the song/argument proceeds, you go through all of these things ("well, fix it", "with what?", "with a patch", "with wood", "with a hatchet", "with a stone", "with water"...) that eventually leads *back to* the first line, of "not being able to get the water", so to speak....
Because There's a Hole in the Bucket. Essentially, you've constructed a song, and/or an argument, whose logic goes around in a circle by way of bringing you back to where you started in a manner that *does nothing*. You haven't really constructed an argument that says or does anything if all it does is goes back to There's a Hole in the Bucket.
I don't have the full lyrics in front of me, but I can sure find them, one moment. ^_^
2007-09-18 20:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by Bradley P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know I'm right because I know I'm right, how do I know I'm right? Because I know I'm right?
Good enough?
If not, here's another one :
How do you know the Bible is true? It's the word of God. How do you know it's the word of God? Because the Bible said so. But wait, how do you know the Bible is true? Because it's the word of God. So, you're saying, the Bible is true because the Bible is true.
2007-09-18 20:37:45 · answer #4 · answered by Smartass 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't talk back to your mother!
Why?
Because I'm your mother and I said so!
I know god exists because the bible says so.
How do you know the bible is correct?
Because god says so.
2007-09-18 20:50:55 · answer #5 · answered by Batman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's an example:
I hate myself.
Why do you hate yourself?
Because I'm overweight.
Why are you overweight?
Because I eat too much.
Why do you eat too much?
Because I hate myself.
2007-09-18 21:00:20 · answer #6 · answered by Julianne 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible says those who doubt god are fools.
And how do we know the bible is correct?
Because its the word of god.
How do we know god exists?
Because the bible says those who doubt god are fools.
And how do we know the bible is correct?
Because its the word of god.
How do we know god exists?
Because the bible says those who doubt god are fools.
And how do we know the bible is correct?
Because its the word of god.
How do we know god exists?
Because the bible says those who doubt god are fools.
And how do we know the bible is correct?
Because its the word of god.
How do we know god exists?
Because the bible says those who doubt god are fools.
2007-09-18 20:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋