PhrasesHub

Beg the question

    Definitions

      • to assume or assert the truth of something without providing any evidence or proof
        When someone makes a statement or argument that requires proof or evidence, but instead just restates the statement as if it were already proven.

      • to evade or avoid the issue at hand
        When someone uses circular reasoning or deflects from the main topic in order to avoid addressing the actual issue.

      • to prompt or invite a specific question
        When a statement or situation is so absurd or contradictory that it naturally prompts someone to ask a particular question.

    Examples of Beg the question

    • When deciding which company to choose for the project, we asked ourselves, "Which company will best meet our needs?" This statement begs the question because it assumes that the chosen company will indeed meet our needs.

      The statement above assumes the very thing that needs to be proven. It presupposes that the selected company will meet our needs, rather than presenting evidence to support this claim. This is fallacious logic, as it fails to address the fundamental question at hand. Therefore, this statement begs the question.

    • The article argues that gun control measures reduce crime rates. However, the writer fails to provide any evidence to support this claim. Therefore, the article begs the question regarding the effectiveness of gun control measures in reducing crime rates.

      The statement above assumes that gun control measures are, in fact, effective in reducing crime rates, without providing any evidence to support this claim. This is fallacious logic, as it fails to address the fundamental question regarding the effectiveness of gun control measures in reducing crime rates. Therefore, the statement begs the question.

    • In order to determine if the product is of high quality, we only tested it on brand new, pristine samples. This approach begs the question regarding the product's performance in real-world conditions, as it fails to consider how the product will hold up over time.

      The statement above assumes that the product is of high quality based purely on testing it on brand new, pristine samples. However, this approach fails to take into account how the product will perform in real-world conditions, such as in everyday use or after extended periods of use. Therefore, this approach begs the question regarding the product's performance in real-world conditions.

    • In order to determine if the candidate is qualified for the job, we only considered their resume and did not interview them. This approach begs the question regarding the candidate's actual skills and abilities, as it fails to consider how they would perform in the job.

      The statement above assumes that the candidate is qualified for the job based purely on their resume. However, this approach fails to take into account how the candidate would actually perform in the job, as it does not consider their skills and abilities in a real-world setting. Therefore, this approach begs the question regarding the candidate's actual skills and abilities.

    • "Would you like to buy this product? It's the best on the market."

      This statement "begs the question" because it assumes that the product being sold is the best on the market, without providing any evidence or comparison to other products on the market. It is asking the listener or potential customer to accept the statement as true without any further information or justification. This can be misleading and may not accurately represent the product's quality or value.

    • "Why did you quit your job? You were doing a great job."

      This statement "begs the question" because it assumes that the reason for quitting was not because of any dissatisfaction or issue with the job, but because the person was doing a great job. It does not consider other possible reasons or factors that may have contributed to the decision to quit. This assumption may not accurately reflect the true reasons for quitting and may overlook important context or background information.

    • "What caused the accident? The driver was speeding."

      This statement "begs the question" because it assumes that the driver's speeding was the sole cause of the accident, without considering other factors or circumstances that may have contributed to the accident. It may overlook important details and context that could shed light on what actually caused the accident.

    • "Was the football game exciting? The home team won."

      This statement "begs the question" because it assumes that the excitement of the game was solely dependent on the home team's victory, without considering other factors that could make a game exciting, such as close calls, exciting plays, or intense moments. This assumption may overlook important details and may not accurately reflect the true excitement level of the game.Explanation: "Begging the question" means assuming the truth of the proposition being questioned. In each of the examples, the statement presents a premise as true, without providing any evidence or justification for that assumption. This can lead to logical fallacies and misleading statements, as important details and context may be overlooked or ignored. It is a common fallacy in argumentative or persuasive discourse and should be avoided in accurate and effective communication.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "beg the question" has multiple meanings, but they all revolve around the idea of avoiding or evading the truth. It can refer to someone assuming the truth of a statement without providing evidence, avoiding the issue at hand, or prompting a specific question due to absurdity or contradiction. In all of these cases, the speaker is trying to avoid facing the truth or providing solid evidence to support their argument.

    Origin of "Beg the question"

    The origin of "beg the question" can be traced back to ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. In his work "Prior Analytics," he discusses a logical fallacy known as "petitio principii," which translates to "begging the question." This fallacy occurs when someone assumes the truth of a statement without providing any evidence to support it.

    The phrase "beg the question" was then adopted into Latin as "petitio principii" and eventually made its way into English in the 16th century. Over time, the phrase has evolved to have a broader meaning, encompassing not just the logical fallacy but also the act of avoiding or evading the truth in general.

    Examples of this idiom can be found in literature and speeches throughout history, such as in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" and in President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It continues to be a commonly used phrase in modern English, highlighting the enduring impact of Aristotle's teachings.