The fallacy occurs when a premise and the conclusion in an argument present the same idea. Instead of supporting the conclusion, the premise assumes that the conclusion is true.
Let’s examine the following example:
What follows is a summary of the arguments in the video:
iPhones are the best because they are superior to all the other phones.
Let’s analyze the arguments. You have two attempts to complete each item.
* 1. What is the arguer’s claim? (Please select the best answer.)
A. iPhones are the best.
B. iPhones are superior to all the other phones.
Nice work! This statement is the claim/ position.
This statement is not the claim. The premise indicator (because) shows that the statement that follows the indicator is the reason (that the arguer offers to support the claim).
The statement in option A presents the arguer’s position/ claim.
* 2. What is the reason that the arguer uses to support the position? (Please select the best answer.)
A. iPhones are the best.
B. iPhones are superior to all the other phones.
This statement is the claim/ position, not the reason.
That’s correct! The premise indicator (because) shows that the statement that follows the indicator is the reason (that the arguer offers to support the claim).
The following statement, which follows the premise indicator (because), is the reason that the arguer presents: iPhones are superior to all the other phones.
Although the arguer uses the statement in an attempt to support the claim, the “reason,” which is merely a restatement of the claim, does not offer any support. That is, the “reason” statement, which assumes the truth of the claim, does not provide any relevant information to prove that the conclusion is true.
Let’s review the argument and present it in standard format:
Premise/ reason: iPhones are superior to all the other phones.
Claim/ position: iPhones are the best.
The arguer attempts to support the claim with a statement that restates the claim. No relevant information that supports the claim is available.