What does "it assumes what it seeks to establish" mean? Forum

CPAlawHopefu · Post by **CPAlawHopefu** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:02 pm

This answer choice is like a trap for me.

swampman · Post by **swampman** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:09 pm

It's the logical fallacy known as "begging the question," where you assume the conclusion as one of your premises.
To steal an example from the internet:
Bill: "God must exist."
Jill: "How do you know."
Bill: "Because the Bible says so."
Jill: "Why should I believe the Bible?"
Bill: "Because the Bible was written by God.

RZ5646 · Post by **RZ5646** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:16 pm

Since God is not a deceiver, anything that I have a clear and distinct perception of must exist. I have a clear and distinct perception of God. Therefore God must exist.

Kinky John · Post by **Kinky John** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:17 pm

Well, what is the argument seeking to establish? A particular conclusion.

If the argument uses the conclusion to prove the conclusion, then it would assume what it seeks to establish. The premise = the conclusion.

CPAlawHopefu · Post by **CPAlawHopefu** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:18 pm

Hm. tricky.

So basically, it's a fallacy in which the conclusion acts as a premise for the premise, which acts as a premise for the conclusion... kinda like circular reasoning.

Thanks.

swampman · Post by **swampman** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:20 pm

CPAlawHopefu wrote: kinda like circular reasoning.

Yep, it is exactly circular reasoning. Try to find as many examples as you can (there may be a section in some of the prep books) so you can recognize it quickly.

Clearly · Post by **Clearly** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:53 pm

Circular reasoning. The only question actual question I can remember off the top of my head is Cotrell.

ETA: PT 36-Section 1- Question 10
ETA2: Answer choice is synonymous with the more common "Presupposes what it seeks to establish" choice. I don't like to teach shortcuts, but I will say that the ratio of times this shows up as a correct answer v. the number of times it shows up as an answer choice is very disproportionate, so do tend to approach this choice with caution, but never outright discredit it.

What does "it assumes what it seeks to establish" mean? Forum

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