Capital punishment isn’t wrong. If it were wrong, then it wouldn’t be legal. It’s legal; therefore, it’s not wrong.

Question

Capital punishment isn’t wrong. If it were wrong, then it wouldn’t be legal. It’s legal; therefore, it’s not wrong. Which fallacy is committed here? a) two wrongs make a right b) none c) non sequitur d) distorting the facts e) circular reasoning

Answer 1

This is an example of circular reasoning. The argument assumes that all things legal cannot be morally wrong. This assumption is the only evidence backing up the claim, so the argument boils down to "I'm right because I said so."