begging the question

Definition

A logical fallacy in which a premise of an argument contains a direct or indirect assumption that the conclusion is true; offering a circular argument; circular reasoning.

Example Sentences

• "It is an instance of begging the question to argue that God can only do good deeds because God is good."
• "But the thing which is called begging the question, is the making use of the very point, that is the thing in debate, or the thing to be proved, as an argument to prove itself. […] It is called begging the question, because it is a depending as it were on the courtesy of the other side, to grant me the point in question, without offering any argument as the price of it."
• "We now turn to four particular fallacies that describe special kinds of unacceptable premises. The first two – begging the question and inconsistency – are important because they identify arguments where it is unnecessary even to ask whether its premises are acceptable. […] An argument begs the question when its premises presuppose, directly or indirectly, the truth of its conclusion. […] Begging the question is sometimes referred to by its Latin name: petitio principii. Begging the question typically arises when we want to defend some strongly held conviction, yet have difficulty in finding reasons that will persuade others of its truth."