Fallacy of the Day: Begging the Question

Fallacy of the Day

Begging the Question

Begging the Question

The fallacy of begging the question occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it. In other words, you assume without proof the stand/position, or a significant part of the stand, that is in question.

Begging the Question

• Begging the question is also called arguing in a circle.

• Claim X assumes X is true.

  Therefore, claim X is true.

• This logically incoherent argument often arises in situations where people have an assumption that is very ingrained, and therefore taken in their minds as a given. Circular reasoning is bad mostly because it's not very good.

Multiple Select

Mark all of the examples of Begging the Question or Circular Reasoning.

• Everyone thinks she's the best singer in school, so it must be true.

• The reason everyone wants the new "Slap Me Silly Elmo" doll is because this is the hottest toy of the season!

• She's the most popular person in school because everyone likes her.

Open Ended

Write your own example of Circular Reasoning or the Begging the Question fallacy.