Practical Sales Training™ > How People Work > Circular Reasoning
What is Circular Reasoning?
Circular reasoning is a logical fallacy where the conclusion and the proof are essentially the same thing.
Instead of presenting real evidence, the argument loops back on itself — the claim is used to prove the claim.
For example:
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“This product is the best because it’s better than all the others.”
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“I’m trustworthy because I always tell the truth.”
In both cases, the reasoning doesn’t move forward — it just spins in a circle.
Why Does Circular Reasoning Work?
Even though it’s flawed logic, circular reasoning can still be persuasive, and here’s why:
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It feels familiar – Repetition makes statements sound more believable over time.
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It skips complexity – It avoids the effort of explaining or proving a point in detail.
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It appeals to bias – People who already agree won’t look for extra evidence.
This is why circular reasoning is common in everyday conversation, politics, advertising, and debates — it gives the illusion of proof without actually providing it.
How Can You Use (or Avoid) Circular Reasoning?
Understanding circular reasoning is valuable whether you want to spot it, avoid it, or use it intentionally:
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In Critical Thinking – Learn to identify circular logic so you don’t mistake it for solid reasoning.
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In Debates – Avoid using circular reasoning unless you want to be called out on weak arguments.
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In Marketing & Persuasion – Use with caution; it can work for brand slogans or light-hearted repetition but risks credibility if overused.
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In Teaching Logic – Examples of circular reasoning help students recognise flawed arguments.
If you want your reasoning to hold up, pair your claim with evidence that stands on its own.
Example
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