I realize I am super late to this discussion, but I would like to state (since I found no other comments mentioning it) that this fallacy is very close to begging the question. Using the example of “MLK Jr. is a Criminal”, the arguer is relying on the definition of criminal as a member of the set of bad things to make their argument.
Example Argument #1: 1. MLK Jr. broke a law 2. “X broke a law” ⇔ “X is a Criminal” 3. MLK Jr. is a Criminal 4. “Y is a Criminal” ⇔ “Y is Bad” Therefore, MLK Jr. is Bad
The same argument can be made in less steps, but will be met with controversey.
Example Argument #2: 1. MLK Jr. broke a law 2. “X broke a law” ⇔ “X is Bad” Therefore, MLK Jr. is Bad
In the second case, it is more obvious that one of the premises is essentially the conclusion to the argument. Perhaps this is the desired solution to showing this argument is invalid in common speech.
Example rebuttal to “Example Argument #1″: ”Wait, are you claiming that everyone who breaks a law is necessarily bad? Isn’t that the argument you are trying to prove? You can’t use your conclusion as evidence. Anyways, what about <Insert counterexample that is hard to debate>, are they bad because they broke the law too?”
I realize I am super late to this discussion, but I would like to state (since I found no other comments mentioning it) that this fallacy is very close to begging the question. Using the example of “MLK Jr. is a Criminal”, the arguer is relying on the definition of criminal as a member of the set of bad things to make their argument.
Example Argument #1:
1. MLK Jr. broke a law
2. “X broke a law” ⇔ “X is a Criminal”
3. MLK Jr. is a Criminal
4. “Y is a Criminal” ⇔ “Y is Bad”
Therefore, MLK Jr. is Bad
The same argument can be made in less steps, but will be met with controversey.
Example Argument #2:
1. MLK Jr. broke a law
2. “X broke a law” ⇔ “X is Bad”
Therefore, MLK Jr. is Bad
In the second case, it is more obvious that one of the premises is essentially the conclusion to the argument. Perhaps this is the desired solution to showing this argument is invalid in common speech.
Example rebuttal to “Example Argument #1″:
”Wait, are you claiming that everyone who breaks a law is necessarily bad? Isn’t that the argument you are trying to prove? You can’t use your conclusion as evidence. Anyways, what about <Insert counterexample that is hard to debate>, are they bad because they broke the law too?”