The Washington Monthly links to this website discussing the misuse of the phrase “begging the question:”
For too long, we linguistic pedants have cringed, watching this phrase used, misused, and abused, again, and again, and again. “This begs the question…” we read in the editorials, see on TV, hear on the radio, (perhaps even read in one of those newfangled “web blogs”) and we must brace ourselves as the ignoramii of modern society literally ask a question after the phrase.
“Begging the question” (BTQ) is a form of logical fallacy in which an argument is assumed to be true without evidence other than the argument itself. (e.g. “He’s dumb because he’s stupid and it’s so because I said so.”)
It does not mean “raising the question,” and it is not meant to apply to an actual question (e.g. “That begs the question, why is he so dumb?”). If that’s how you used it, you got it wrong, and no doubt the more knowledgeable folk listening to you winced as you said it.
The Fallacy Files is one of the best resources on the web for discussion and explanations of logical fallacies. Also see the Nizkor project.
In other related news, check out this post by Gary Farber, where he literally takes someone to the woodshed. Sorry, Gary.
JPS
I was starting to think I was the only person in the world still pedantic enough to be driven frickin’ crazy by the usual usage. Thanks, John!
Tom
“Your such a nice guy.” What about my such a nice guy?
“The proof is in the pudding.” No it’s not. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
“Could care less.” Not if you’re trying to express your lack of caring.
“Can’t hardly stand it.” Arrgggh!
“It’s a mute point.” DIE, DIE, DIE!
Nash
And a great big whack with a wet wiki-noodle for the first person to point to the wikipedia entry for this phrase as support for the modern lethal mutation. It’s just another wikimishmash of “some people say this, others say that.”
I will know we have finally achieved Wikivana when the authority for all Scrabble games is no longer the Scrabble dictionary but the Wiktionary, which, since every single spelling of every single word will be accepted by “some people,” will mean that the game has become a death struggle of quaintish 7-letter words.
Gary Farber
“The Fallacy Files is one of the best resources on the web for discussion and explanations of logical fallacies. Also see the Nizkor project.”
Interestingly (or not), I think I’ve cited subpages from both more times in comments on this blog — almost entirely in addressing commenters here, not John — than on any other blog. But that was a while ago. It’s always disturbing to notice how many folks can’t tell the difference between a logical argument (right or wrong) and a fallacious one (pretty much by definition wrong, regardless of the point or its possible correctness otherwise). Reason: don’t leave home without it!
Tom
David Cross does a hilarious bit on the misuse of literally on his album, “Shut up you F’in baby!”. You should check it out.