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"Begging the question" Topic


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Personal logo John the OFM Supporting Member of TMP25 Apr 2013 8:27 p.m. PST

I always know when the term "begging the question" is misused. Well, that is ALL the time!
However, I can never remember how it IS used correctly!
It is really a logical fallacy:
link

So, that just begs the question of why don't we just change its definition.
Only pedants use it correctly! grin

kyoteblue25 Apr 2013 8:42 p.m. PST

It's after midnight…why are you awake??? Why am I awake..it begs the…oh wait.

Rrobbyrobot26 Apr 2013 3:33 a.m. PST

I think you worry too much.

Personal logo enfant perdus Supporting Member of TMP26 Apr 2013 6:46 a.m. PST

Anyone else see the banner ad above the OFM's post that says "Top quality figure's at affordable prices"?

Serendipity or Bill's wicked sense of humor?

Personal logo Parzival Supporting Member of TMP26 Apr 2013 10:34 a.m. PST

Yes, the confusion is inherent to the phrase. It sounds as if it means "causing one to ask a fundamental, yet logically sequential question," such as "why are we worrying about this, anyway?"
It does not sound as if it means, "the premise being proposed logically demands the expected response, which would seem to validate the premise, but that does not mean the premise itself is actually valid, nor is the response valid."

An example would be: "It is horrible that the OFM hates kittens, because hating kittens is horrible, and therefore the OFM is horrible." Which begs the question, "Does the OFM hate kittens?" And, of course, it also begs the question "Is hating kittens horrible?" A fallacious two-for-one!

An example would not be the question, "But does he hate dogs?"

Oh, and why are we worrying about this, anyway?

Personal logo John the OFM Supporting Member of TMP27 Apr 2013 5:42 a.m. PST

I don't hate kittens. Properly prepared, they make a fine dip, almost as good as clam dip.

Ditto Tango 2 327 Apr 2013 9:18 a.m. PST

I didn't understand any of the above or the link, but "begging the question" means a situation or state of something is so obvious that it is begging to have someone question it.

I don't get how that is so hard?
--
Tim

streetline30 Apr 2013 2:11 p.m. PST

TMP link

Have you been taking your meds, John?

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