Begging the Question (Idiom)

BEGGING THE QUESTION (Idiom)

"Begging the question" is a logical fallacy that means "assuming the conclusion." If I say, "You shouldn't break the law because breaking the law is wrong," I have just made a "conclusion" ("You shouldn't break the law") that is the same as my "premise" ("breaking the law is wrong") . It's like saying, "It's wrong to do what is wrong." This is the proper meaning of the logical term "begging the question." Cause = effect.

There is a non-fallacious use of the term that really means "raising the question": "A child's nutrition is important, which begs the question, shouldn't we provide meals for all children?" People who use this are implying that someone is "begging" for this question to be answered. But they are "raising" the question themselves.

• Begging the question is often found in political and religious arguments, where the speaker assumes that something is true just because he or she believes it to be true.
• Begging the question is actually rare; most of the time, "raising the question" will suit the case better.

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