Dear Internets,
I’ve ignored this for as long as I could. Something has to be said.
“Begging the Question” is a specific logical fallacy in which the person presenting the argument assumes what they claim to be proving. There are a whole bunch of sites where you can look this up. Here is an example:
Paranormal phenomena exist because I have had experiences that can only be described as paranormal.
I also like this definintion from Fallacyfiles.org:
The phrase “begging the question”, or “petitio principii” in Latin, refers to the “question” in a formal debate—that is, the issue being debated. In such a debate, one side may ask the other side to concede certain points in order to speed up the proceedings. To “beg” the question is to ask that the very point at issue be conceded, which is of course illegitimate.
Begging the question does NOT mean to raise or ask the question, like in this headline:
Latest Internet Fracas Begs the Question:
Who’s Driving the Internet Bus?
Okay? Can we all move on now?
I’m guessing not, but I had to try.
Thanks,
eringoblog
*I do not think it means what you think it means.
Thanks for the education. I’ve been using it wrong all these years.
Heh. Glad I could be of service to someone. 😉
You’ve made this copy editor very happy. 🙂
Though I know a few reporters who probably still wouldn’t get it even *with* your explanation. The same type of reporters who wrote about a particular staph infection “gaining popularity” in schools. (I’m sure they meant “prevalence” or higher incidence, etc. — “you never let me catch ANYTHING.” “All the OTHER kids are getting sick and dead!”)
FOCL
Thank you so much! Misuse of this term is high on my ever-expanding list of pet peeves.
I should also add–most people could care less.
Ohhhh that one drives me nuts!
The only one that makes me more crazy (probably just because it’s even more widespread) is when people mean “nauseated” but say “nauseous.” I’ve given up on that one, but I still cringe a little every time I hear it.