Logical Fallacy of Proof by Logical Tautology
Proof by logical tautology is one of the many smokescreens that are used to cover the fact that the reasoning is based on one of the three fallacies of Agrippa's trilemma. Whenever a logical fallacy is committed, the fallacy has its roots in Agrippa's trilemma. All human thought (without Divine revelation) is based on one of three unhappy possibilities. These three possibilities are infinite regression, circular reasoning, or axiomatic thinking. This problem is known as Agrippa's trilemma. Some have claimed that only logic and math can be known without Divine revelation; however, that is not true. Without Divine revelation, neither logic nor math can be known. Science is also limited to the pragmatic because of the weakness on human reasoning, which is known as Agrippa's trilemma.
The logical fallacy of proof by logical tautology occurs when a statement is made that cannot be falsified simply because of its form. It isn't a fallacy unless it used as an explanation of something or proof of something since the statement contains no real information. Note that rhetorical tautology is not a fallacy, but is often confused with logical tautology. Rhetorical tautology occurs when repetition replaces significance.
Examples of the Logical Fallacy of Proof by Logical Tautology
"The mechanism of evolution is natural selection, the survival of the fittest."
The tautology here is "survival of the fittest." This is the survival of the survivors, or the fitness of the fittest. Natural selection has problems of its own. Defining natural selection as this tautology is a sure way to cause confusion. If the tautology is used as some kind of validation for molecules-to-man, then it is a fallacy.
"Those living things that survive are more fit because they are more well adapted to live in the environment."
This appears to give a conclusion that the fittest survive and a premise or proof that they are more well adapted for their environment, but all that has happened is that the same thing is repeated twice: to be "fit" is to be "more well adapted to live."
Bill Nye arguing against Creation science: “Also, in this picture, you can see where one type of sediment has intruded on another type. Now, if that was uniform, wouldn’t we expect it all to be even without intrusion?”
To be uniform is the same as being even, but the two are contrasted to give the illusion that the point is being made. Bill was trying to prove the the worldwide Genesis flood didn't occur.
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Last updated: Sep, 2014
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Logical Fallacy of Proof by Fallacy
Proof Surrogate / Evidence Surrogate
Error in Observation
Misrepresenting the Facts Fallacy
Logical Fallacy of Distorted Evidence
Logical Fallacy of Unverified Evidence
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The Logical Fallacy of Unsubstantiated Inference
Assuming Facts Not In Evidence
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Logical Fallacy of Context Imposition
Psychologist's Fallacy
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Stolen Concept Fallacy / Smuggled Concept Fallacy
Logical Fallacy of Weak Inference
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Theoretical Stories
The Logical Fallacy of Anecdotal Evidence Presented as Scientific Evidence / Personal Testimony Presented as Scientific Evidence
Logical Fallacy of Dismissing All Personal Testimony
Logical Fallacy of Rewriting History / Have it Your Way
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Model
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Assumption
Logical Fallacy of Argument from Personal Incredulity / Personal Belief / Personal Conviction
Logical Fallacy of Argument by Lack of Imagination
Logical Fallacy of Argument by Imagination
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Logical Fallacy of Argument from Personal Astonishment
Logical Fallacy of Special Pleading
Logical Fallacy of Variant Imagization
Logical Fallacy of Self-Exclusion
Logical Fallacy of Unintended Self-Inclusion
Ad Personam Fallacy
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Assertion / Proof by Repeated Assertion
Logical Fallacy of Cherishing the Zombie
Logical Fallacy of Argumentum Ad Lapidem
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Understatement / Misunderstanding by Understatement
Logical Fallacy of Proof by Logical Tautology
Logical Fallacy of Proof by False Declaration of Victory
Logical Fallacy of Assumption Correction Assumption
False Criteria Fallacy / Fallacy of Questionable Criteria
Logical Fallacy of Cutting Off Discussion / Summary Dismissal
Logical Fallacy of Thought-Terminating Cliche / ClicheThinking
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Logical Fallacy of Experimenter Bias
Fallacy of the Crucial Experiment
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Logical Fallacy of Pretentious Premise
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