There are many logical fallacies, and over the next few weeks and months, I will occasionally focus on a fallacy. While fallacies are typically from the debating sphere and may seem out of place on a blog dedicated to writing, they do appear in writing as well. And not just in social media and blog comments either. They can appear in website and marketing copy, political speeches, opinion pieces, and so on.
Today’s fallacy is begging the question.
What is the begging the question fallacy?
A begging the question argument (also known as circular argument or petitio principii) is when a speaker restates their assumption to sound as if it’s an argument. This tactic is often used when the speaker thinks what they believe is evidence for the validity of their argument.
Examples of the begging the question fallacy
Here are some actual examples of the begging the question fallacy:
- The Bible is true because the Bible says it’s true.
- I exist because I can see and touch things.
- She is the best basketball coach in the state; they hired her because no coach in the state is as good as her.
- Ghosts exist; I’ve experienced things that can’t be explained in any other way.
- Everyone wants this new smartphone app because it’s the hottest app in the app store.
- A healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables because eating fruits and vegetables is good for you.
In all the above examples, the speaker states a premise, then restates the premise to seem as if it were evidence. For example, they said that the Bible is true because it says it’s true, but the latter part of the statement can only be evidence if the Bible is actually true to start with, which is what the premise was. If the Bible isn’t actually true, then it saying that it’s true won’t change that.
Same goes for all the other examples.
Using begging the question is unfair to those you debate, and it’s intellectually lazy for you. Hopefully, these examples explain the importance of focusing on an opponent’s actual claims.
Which logical fallacy should I cover next? Let me know in the comments below.
