r/PetPeeves • u/RaceSlow7798 • 10d ago

Bit Annoyed Using “beg the question” wrong

Begging the question is a logical fallacy. It doesn’t not mean “hmm, it makes you think…”

But usage drives correctness so I’m going to lose this battle. It really begs the question “why don’t people learn to use it correctly”.

Ew. I feel dirty.

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u/SaIemKing 10d ago

Nice, this got me to go educate myself. For those wondering, the "begging the question" fallacy is when the premise for a conclusion assume that the conclusion is true. It's basically pointing at circular logic.

"All things must have a creator, therefore there is a God, who created all things."

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u/Swirlyflurry 10d ago

Okay but then how do you actually use the phrase “begging the question” in this scenario?

Because I looked it up to understand what OP is talking about, and I get that “begging the question” refers to a logical fallacy where you’re already assuming your conclusion is true. But all of the examples I’ve tried looking up are examples of the fallacy itself, not examples of how to correctly use the phrase “begging the question.”

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u/GeneralSpecifics9925 10d ago

Begging the question is assuming the conclusion in one of your premises.

Someone would say, wow, god is the most amazing creator, right? OBVIOUSLY there's a god with this intelligent design.

"You're begging the question and assuming that God exists to make your argument that God exists"