That expression refers to the logical fallacy of making a statement that includes an unproved assumption.

For example, “Gun violence is an epidemic and therefore we will make it illegal to have ammunition shipped directly from a vendor to a private individual,” could be something a legislator might propose. The fallacy of that proposal is that it assumes without proof that making it harder to purchase ammunition will reduce the number of crimes committed with guns.
Another example would be, “The wood spirits don’t want you to eat mushrooms.” The question that’s begged by that statement is the unproved assumption that wood spirits exist that would object to our eating mushrooms.
“Putting a hat on a bed is bad luck,” begs the question of whether (assumes) there are supernatural forces or entities that would know if I put a hat on a bed, would object to my putting a hat on a bed, and would have the power to cause me bad luck if they knew and objected.

What begging the question doesn’t refer to is a question that may be logically prompted or raised by a statement:
Me: “I wish we would increase the size of our navy.”
He: “That begs the question of how we would pay for a larger navy.”
Me: “No, it doesn’t. It may prompt the question of how to pay for it, but it doesn’t beg (assume) anything to be true without proof.”

That begs the question “shouldn’t this be in the ‘pitch your bitch’ section?”

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
That begs the question “shouldn’t this be in the ‘pitch your bitch’ section?”

Well, no, it doesn’t, but your statement could be seen as yet another example of begging a question with its assumption that my post was a bitch rather than a benign lesson about a somewhat commonly misused expression.

So thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
That begs the question “shouldn’t this be in the ‘pitch your bitch’ section?”

Well, no, it doesn’t, but your statement could be seen as yet another example of begging a question with its assumption that my post was a bitch rather than a benign lesson about a somewhat commonly misused expression.

So thanks.

Excellent response!

This discussion -- it's like déjà vu all over again.

I'll bet you're a hoot at parties


I don't use that phrase so I'm safe

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
This discussion -- it's like déjà vu all over again.

I like this post.

^^^^^ME TOO!!^^^^^^

monkey don't beg, monkey abides.

Yep, "prompts" or "raises" the question, not begs the question (usually).

I like to explain begging the question as circular logic. E.g. "9mm is the most widespread caliber because of how popular it is." That statement says absolutely nothing, but sounds convincing to the careless listener.

Maybe now at age >75 I finally understand it.

I’ll continue to use it the wrong way. Don’t ask me why. Don’t beg me to stop.

I mentioned this on a YouTube video of a Christian channel I subscribe to. They actually stopped using “begs the question”. I was pleased.

"Prompts" and "begs" are interchangeable.

There are several uses. It's acceptable to use "begs the question" in place of "prompts the question," or "raises the question."

Aristotles petito principii is only one use of the phrase, and in the modern vernacular, far less used than the more common use, to segue one comment into another.

For a more thorough discussion on the subject, Miriam Webster has a page: https://www.merriam-webster.co...lay/beg-the-question

Very well put. Logical, clearly explained, excellent examples.

However, it begs the question (assumes) you know what you are talking about.

Then there is the cat version of begging the question...

We all (should) know that the meanings of words and expressions evolve and therefore change with time and usage—sometimes markedly. The several older references I have that list the stages of the firearms autoloading cycle define “feeding” as what the magazine does, and despite the term “feed ramp” the stage that describes the cartridge’s being pushed into the chamber is … “chambering.” At least a couple of the references that describe the stages those ways are SIG armorer manuals that I was given over the years. The most recent one, however, now describes “feeding” as what used to be chambering. I was mildly disturbed by that heresy, but cannot deny that that’s what happens with language.

And therefore if enough people have no formal training on logical fallacies and misunderstand “begging the question” as meaning prompting or raising a question, and if enough of them use it that way, then of course the latter will become an acceptable usage—and perhaps the only usage. Any dictionary that hopes to remain relevant as meanings and usages change will of course reflect how people use words today and not only in some distant past. We tend to forget that definitions are based on how people use words and expressions, regardless of how corrupted they may be from the original meanings; i.e., dictionary definitions are based on what is rather than what people (even me) believe they should be. I can, though, argue what should be.

I will point out, though, that “prompting” can be expressed by that word and at least a couple of others. The original meaning (or the one previously accepted by educated people), however, cannot be expressed in such a succinct way that I can think of. Widespread use of the expression to mean “prompt” or “raise” a question therefore weakens the value of the original meaning and tends to help make even more people ignorant of its (previous) proper meaning. I’m constantly reminded of how firearms related words and terms are corrupted; two of my favorites are magwell to refer to a funnel design and the abomination of “dope” being tortured into meaning “data on previous engagement.” (Ridiculous!)

(None of that makes this a bitch, though. )

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:
I’ll continue to use it the wrong way. Don’t ask me why. Don’t beg me to stop.

Just as long as you don't mind that we point out your misuse each time you do it

 
The misuse of "begs the question" is rampant, in the media, as well as fiction and non-fiction works. Methinks you are fighting a losing battle.