begs the question
Assumes the conclusion
Begs the question has two meanings that often clash.
The original sense, from logic, describes circular reasoning—assuming the truth of what you're trying to prove: To say the Bible is true because it's God's word begs the question of whether God exists.
The newer, widespread sense means "raises the question" or "invites the obvious question": His absence begs the question: where was he?
Traditionalists insist only the first use is correct, but the second now dominates everyday speech.
Fallacy assuming its conclusion
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
- tautologyRedundant or circular statement
- logical fallacyError in reasoning
- invalid argumentReasoning that doesn't hold
self-referential · fallacious · sophistry · flawed logic · non sequitur · false premise · circular argument · logical error
Reasoned case or dispute
- debateFormal argument on issues
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
disputation · polemic · contention · rebuttal · cross-examination · forensics · deliberation · oratory
Casual, everyday language
- misnomerIncorrectly applied designation
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- prescriptivismEnforcing linguistic correctness
- descriptivismDocumenting actual language use
circular reasoning
Fallacy assuming its conclusion
- presuppositionImplicit prior assumption
- tautologyRedundant or circular statement
- logical fallacyError in reasoning
invalid argument · self-referential · fallacious · sophistry · flawed logic · non sequitur · false premise · circular argument · logical error
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- debateFormal argument on issues
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
dialectic · disputation · polemic · contention · rebuttal · cross-examination · forensics · deliberation · oratory · logical analysis
colloquial
Casual, everyday language
- misnomerIncorrectly applied designation
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- prescriptivismEnforcing linguistic correctness
begs the questionproves the point
begs, begged, begging, beggars, question, questions, questioned, questioning, questionable