Definition:Circular Proof
From ProofWiki
Definition
A circular proof is a proof $A$ in terms of another proof $B$ such that the truth of $B$ depends (either directly or indirectly) on the truth of $A$.
A circular proof is valid, as every statement implies itself.
The problem of a circular proof is that if the truth of a conclusion is dubious, premisses that are equally dubious provide no reason to support the conclusion.
Also see
Sources
- Merrilee H. Salmon: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (1995) Appendix $2$, Circular Reasoning
