3 ms·

"begging the question" means to assume the truth of the proposition you are arguing for in the process of arguing for it. You seem to instead mean something li

• dialamac 6y ago
  This is a much more thoughtfully constructed article on the topic https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/beg-the-question https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/beg-the-questi.... Language is a lot more nuanced than a freshman philosophy major’s Logic 101 textbook.
  • shkkmo 6y ago
    "begs the question", like using "literally" to mean "figuratively", is so widespread that is is difficult to call it an incorrect use of language. However, both constitute what I consider a dismal use of language. (But for different reasons.) "literally"'s conversion to meaning its opposite represents a loss of meaning in the language; expressiveness dulling into useless ambiguity. "begs the question" isn't a term that expresses the underlying idea effectively, it merely indicates a failing attempt to sound educated. In either case, I prefer to educate people on how to use language less dismally. This does make me a pedant. I prefer this discussion of the meaning of the term: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2290 https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2290