beg the question
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
- Latin petitio principii.
[edit] Verb
to beg the question (third-person singular simple present begs the question, present participle begging the question, simple past and past participle begged the question)
- (philosophy, logic) To engage in the logical fallacy of begging the question (petitio principii).
- 1994, D. N. Walton, "Begging the question as a pragmatic fallacy." Synthese, vol 100, no 1.
- The objection is that the argument begs the question, meaning that the premise, that God has all the virtues, assumes the conclusion, that God is benevolent.
- 1994, D. N. Walton, "Begging the question as a pragmatic fallacy." Synthese, vol 100, no 1.
- To raise or prompt a question.
- Three people were hurt in the fire at the warehouse last night, which begs the question: what were they doing there in the first place?
[edit] Usage notes
The sense "raise or prompt a question" came about by misunderstanding of the meaning of the expression, possibly by confusion with beg to differ, and is proscribed (denounced) by some usage guides.
[edit] Related terms
[edit] References
- "Beg the question" in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds, 2004.
