We’re back with another fallacy (i.e., an argument that contains a hidden mistake). Today, we’re looking at “begging the question,” sometimes known as making a circular argument. But what does this mean? And how can you avoid begging the question in your writing?
“Begging the question” means assuming the truth of an argument in how you present it. For example, we could say something like this:
My sandwiches are the best because nobody makes better sandwiches.
The use of “because” here makes it look like an argument, where the second part of the sentence should support or justify the first part. However, we can see how this begs the question if we break it down into two parts:
This does not tell us anything new: “I make the best sandwiches” already implies that nobody makes better sandwiches. Thus, we go in a circle if we try to justify the first statement using the second one.
Begging the question is a type of circular reasoning. And while the example above is clearly flawed, some circular arguments are less obvious. Consider the following statements, for example:
These are less clearly circular, but both beg the question:
Unpacking a statement like this can help you see its circularity.
So, how do you avoid this fallacy in your work? As mentioned above, you can break an argument down to see if it is circular. For instance, let’s look at the existence of ghosts again. Our argument is:
I know ghosts are real because I have seen one.
We can break this down into two statements:
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
Premise 1: I have seen a ghost.
Conclusion: I therefore know that ghosts are real.
But this rules out other explanations for our experience of seeing a ghost, such as a hallucination or a prank. It relies on already knowing we have seen a real ghost. Writing it out like this lets us see the “gap” in the argument:
Premise 2: I know that what I saw was a ghost.
With this new premise, the argument is complete. But unless we have a separate reason for thinking that the second premise is true, all we have done is assume the truth of the conclusion we were trying to reach.
If you are worried that an argument begs the question, then, try breaking it down into premises and a conclusion. This should help you spot any circularity and work out whether there is a “gap” you need to fill.
Proofreading can help, too, as the more clearly you can express your arguments, the easier it will be to avoid fallacies.
Finally, one extra thing to note here is that “begging” a question does NOT mean “raising a question”. People may use it this way in day-to-day conversation, but this is technically incorrect. Remember:
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...