begging the question

[sll56]

can anyone give a simple explanation of the phrase "to beg the question"?

[Quizmonster]

Click here for the answer.

[Tim123]

A simple explanation:

Using an argument that is only valid if what you are trying to prove is true.

An example:

Person A "There is nothing wrong with corporal punishment, because I received it as a child and it had no adverse effect on me"

Person B "It DID have an adverse effect, because it made you think that there is nothing wrong with corporal punishment"

Person B is trying to PROVE that corporal punishment is wrong by using an argument that is ONLY VALID IF corporal punishment is wrong!

I make no comment on the rights and wrongs of corporal punishment, but in the example, Person B is begging the question.

[bernardo]

Er... to me it sounds as if it is person A who is begging the question...?

[sll56]

Tim - thanks for the example. I have tried to explain the correct use to people and their eyes glaze over. This helps. Further to bernardo - I think both A and B are begging the question.

[Tim123]

Two examples for the price of one, then. What more could you ask?

[jno]

so what question is Person A begging exactly?

[sll56]

jno, A is trying to prove there is nothing wrong with corporal punishment with the evidence that it didn't hurt him. Not very scientific.

[jno]

unscientific, agreed, but is it begging a question? Person B is; but I'm not sure Person A is.

[chakka35]

To beg the question is to use your intended conclusion as part of your argument.  An example:

Does God exist? Yes. How do you know? Because the Bible says so.

Why should we trust the Bible? Because it is the word of God.

Otherwise known as arguing in a circle.