Logical Fallacy of Circular Reference

Whenever a logical fallacy is committed, the fallacy has its roots in Agrippa's trilemma which is simply the fact that the foundation of all human thought (without Divine revelation) is based on one of three unhappy possibilities. These three possibilities are infinite regression, circular reasoning, or bare assertions without any evidence. Circular reference, a form of circular reasoning, is one of these three unhappy possibilities.

The Logical Fallacy of Circular Reference occurs when a series of logical arguments are stated, one depending on the other until the final argument supplies the premises of the first argument. This is a type of circular reasoning that is very difficult to detect, since most people don’t even follow their own reasoning back more than a few arguments. The more steps in the thought chain, the harder this is to detect.

Examples of the Logical Fallacy of Circular Reference

Sandra: "Well it's obvious. All the scientific evidence points to evolution."

Roxanne: "Which scientific evidence specifically?"

Sandra: "Well, the fossil evidence, for one thing."

Roxanne: "Did you personally examine this geologic column or did you just read about it or hear about it from someone else?"

Sandra: "I learned it in College."

Roxanne: "So are you just taking the word of your professors and the people who wrote the books?"

Sandra: "Well, yes, but they are the experts."

Roxanne: "Other than blind faith in the text books and the professors, do you have any other reason for believing them?"

Sandra: "Because of the scientific evidence."

Now, we have made the complete circle. It's because of the scientific evidence, and we can verify that this scientific evidence is not a fabrication because of the scientific evidence.