Sure, here’s an Obsidian wiki file for the phrase “Begging the Question”:

Begging the Question

Overview

"Begging the Question" is a phrase that originates from Latin 'petitio principia'. It has two primary meanings[^1^][1][^2^][2][^3^][3][^4^][4].

Key Concepts

• Ignoring a Question: A lesser used and more formal definition is "to ignore a question under the assumption it has already been answered"[^1^][1].
• Logical Fallacy: In classical rhetoric and logic, begging the question or assuming the conclusion is an informal fallacy that occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion[^2^][2]. This makes it an example of circular reasoning[^2^][2].

Examples

• Eliciting a Specific Question: "The influx of big data has boosted granular targeting capabilities, and with the rate at which data is being generated, a natural question that begs to be asked is, “what’s next?”[^1^][1]
• Ignoring a Question: "Drugs are illegal so they must be bad for you. Therefore, we ought not legalize drugs because drugs are bad for you."[^2^][2]

References

• Beg (Begging) the Question: What Does it Mean? | Merriam-Webster
• Begging the question - Wikipedia
• Beg The Question - Meaning, Origin, and Sentences - Literary Devices
• BEG THE QUESTION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

# Old Version

Begging the question, also known as assuming the conclusion, is an informal fallacy in which an argument’s premises presume the truth of the conclusion. Let me break it down for you:

1. Historical Context:
    
    - The term “begging the question” has its roots in classical rhetoric and logic.
        
    - Aristotle used the phrase “τὸ ἐξ ἀρχῆς αἰτεῖν” (translated as “asking for the initial thing”) to describe a specific type of dialectical argument.
        
    - In this stylized debate, the defending party asserts a thesis (the “initial thing”), and the attacking party aims to refute it by asking yes-or-no questions.
        
    - The rule was that the questioner couldn’t simply ask for the initial thing; that would be uninteresting.
        
2. Modern Usage:
    
    - Today, begging the question refers to an argument where the premises assume the conclusion without supporting it.
        
    - It’s essentially circular reasoning—trying to prove something while simultaneously taking that same thing for granted.
        
    - Examples:
        
        - “People have known for thousands of years that the earth is round. Therefore, the earth is round.”
            
        - “Drugs are illegal, so they must be bad for you. Therefore, we ought not legalize drugs because drugs are bad for you.”
            
3. Misuse:
    
    - [Interestingly, the phrase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question) [“begs the question”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question) [is sometimes misused to mean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question) [“prompts a question”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question) [or](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question) ["raises a question"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question)[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question)[2](https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/beg-the-question).
        
    - But in its true sense, it’s about assuming what you’re trying to prove.