petitio principii
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin petitio principii (literally “an assumption from the beginning”), calque of Ancient Greek τὸ ἐν ἀρχῇ αἰτεῖσθαι (tò en arkhēî aiteîsthai, “to assume from the beginning”).
Noun[edit]
- (philosophy, logic, uncountable) The logical fallacy of begging the question.
- (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." 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.
- 1869, C. S. Pierce, "Grounds of Validity of the laws of Logic: Further Consequences of Four Incapacities." Journal of Speculative Philosophy.
