beg the question

Meaning

In formal academic discourse, 'beg the question' refers to a logical fallacy where the premise of an argument assumes the truth of the conclusion. Instead of proving a point, the argument circularizes itself. While in casual speech it is often used to mean 'raise the question', this modern usage is generally avoided in rigorous academic writing.

Examples

• To assert that democratic systems are superior because they allow for free elections is to beg the question.

  To assert that democratic systems are superior because they allow for free elections is to beg the question.

• The researcher's claim that the drug is safe because it has no documented side effects begs the question of whether long-term studies were actually conducted.

  The researcher's claim that the drug is safe because it has no documented side effects begs the question of whether long-term studies were actually conducted.

• By assuming that human nature is inherently cooperative, her sociological model begs the question of why conflict is so prevalent.

  By assuming that human nature is inherently cooperative, her sociological model begs the question of why conflict is so prevalent.

• Arguments that rely on the infallibility of sacred texts to prove their divine origin inevitably beg the question.

  Arguments that rely on the infallibility of sacred texts to prove their divine origin inevitably beg the question.

• To define intelligence solely by IQ score and then use that score to measure intelligence is to beg the question.

  To define intelligence solely by IQ score and then use that score to measure intelligence is to beg the question.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The sudden drop in temperature begs the question of whether our climate models are accurate.

  ✓ The sudden drop in temperature raises the question of whether our climate models are accurate.

  In academic writing, using 'begs the question' to mean 'prompts' or 'raises' a question is considered informal and logically incorrect. Reserve 'beg the question' for cases of circular reasoning.

• ✗ His circular argument begs the question about the validity of the data.

  ✓ His circular argument begs the question of the validity of the data.

  When identifying a logical fallacy, the standard academic preposition to introduce the assumed premise is 'of' rather than 'about'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To argue that high-tax policies are bad because they harm the economy is to ___ if you do not first prove how they cause harm.

  💡 Think of the logical fallacy where you assume the conclusion in your premise.

  Show answer

  beg the question

• We must be careful not to ___ in our methodology by defining our target group using the very criteria we are testing.

  💡 This term describes circular logic in academic research.

  Show answer

  beg the question