Begging the Question

is one of the those phrases where some people hear often, probably even say often, but know little of its origins and usage. We commonly see phrase "begging the question" being used in place of or meaning as "raises the question".

Eg: Steven strips himself down to yellow boxers on tv. This act begs the question of what consists of acceptable levels of censorship (or non-censorship in this case).

This might seem to be a correct use of the phrase begging a question, but it is not. It is a result from not knowing what the phrase, "begging the question" means. The act raises additional questions but does not beg any questions. So what does begging the question really mean?

"Begging the question", also known as circular reasoning is one of the thirteen logical fallacies identified by Aristotle in his Sophistical Refutations (Sophistici Elenchi). It is a fallacy of presumption. It presumes the conclusion which is at question in the first place.

The following is an example of begging the question:

"Murder is morally wrong. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong."
The presumption made here is that abortion is murder. Which was really what was at question when this point was being made.

Dear blogders, please do not use the phrase "begging the question" unless you're refering to logical fallacies. If someone makes a circular reasoning in his/her arguments, he/she is begging the question. But if a situation raises questions, then it is what it is, raising questions.