petitio principii

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English

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Etymology

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From Latin petītiō prīncipiī (literally an assumption from the beginning), calque of Ancient Greek τὸ ἐν ἀρχῇ αἰτεῖσθαι (tò en arkhêi aiteîsthai, to assume from the beginning).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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petitio principii

  1. (philosophy, logic, uncountable) The logical fallacy of begging the question (i.e., "assuming the conclusion").
  2. (philosophy, logic, countable) A particular argument which commits the fallacy of begging the question; a circular argument.
    • 1869, C. S. Pierce, “Grounds of Validity of the laws of Logic: Further Consequences of Four Incapacities.”, in Journal of Speculative Philosophy:
      A somewhat similar objection has been made by Locke and others, to the effect that the ordinary demonstrative syllogism is a petitio principii.
    • 1938, E. Prokosch, A Comparative Germanic Grammar:
      The Streitberg-Michels Theory is evidently a petitio principii. To explain ē in gēbum, it is from the outset taken for granted, for inadequate reasons of method, that the form must be a perfect. [italics original]