It Is Illegal Because It Is Against The Law

* From “The A**HOLE’S Guide To Arguing (Or, How To Succeed In Politics)”

Begging the question is also known as a circular argument. Here, the conclusion is either a part of the premise, or the premise and conclusion are being used to justify each other in a never-ending circle. Share on X

“Don’t argue with me. I am your mother, and you do not argue with your mother.”

To a child this argument seems bulletproof and impossible to refute. Unfortunately, some adults do not know any better either.

Here are some examples of the types of circular arguments you might run into.

A is, because A

It is illegal (A) because it is against the law (A).

The definition of the word illegal is ‘that which is against the law.’ Which makes this argument just as valid as saying, ‘it’s a pony because it’s a pony.’

A is B, because A

The Bible (A) is the word of God (B) because the Bible says so (A).

So, the word of God said it was the word of God? Now I will sleep so much better. Thank you for clearing that up.

A is B, because B

Paracetamol (A) relieves pain (B) because it’s an analgesic (B)

An analgesic is a drug that relieves pain. So the sentence above is really just stating that Paracetamol relieves pain because it is a pain reliever.

A is B, because A is B

Being a commie (A) is stupid (B), because commies (A) are stupid (B)

And the dog barks, because dogs bark.
(And when the barking drives me mad, I am barking mad.)

A is B, because B is A

It is true (A) because I said so (B), and what I say (B) is always true (A)

ABBA was a great band, but when ABBA is the form of your argument, it is not that groovy.

Hopefully, in the future when you see arguments formed like these you will recognize them as begging the question, and not mistake them for sound arguments.

© Merlyn Gabriel Miller