by Samantha Bronkar<\/p>\n
\u201cIt begs the question\u201d is a commonly misused phrase. Here are the incorrect<\/em> ways it is used, as well as the correct<\/em> ways and times it can be used.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How NOT to use <\/strong>\u201c<\/strong>it begs the question\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n You may have heard this phrase used to ask a question, such as<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we fight so often, it begs the question, <\/em>is there any way for us to find consensus?\u201d <\/p>\n Or, you may have heard it used to make a statement, such as<\/p>\n \u201cConsidering how much we disagree, it begs the question <\/em>whether or not we can find consensus.\u201d<\/p>\n In these sample sentences, \u201cit begs the question\u201d equates to \u201cit raises <\/em>the question.\u201d Rather than using \u201cit begs the question,\u201d one could say, \u201cBecause we fight so often, it raises the question, <\/em>is there any way for us to find consensus?\u201d Or, \u201cConsidering how much we disagree, it raises the question <\/em>whether or not we can find consensus.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the issue: \u201cIt begs the question\u201d cannot be used interchangeably with \u201cit raises the question.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What does \u2018it begs the question\u2019 mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt begs the question\u201d is used to point out the false claims<\/strong> or circular reasoning<\/strong> of an argument. <\/p>\n But let\u2019s pause: \u201c<\/em>False claims\u201d is probably pretty clear, but what is <\/em>\u201c<\/em>circular reasoning\u201d<\/em>? <\/em><\/p>\n When writing papers, or just having conversations, you must know when and how an argument is valid. Circular reasoning is a common logical fallacy and occurs when the conclusion of an argument is used as the premise of the argument. In other words, the argument assumes that the conclusion\u2014the thing one is trying to prove\u2014has already been proven. Here is an example:<\/p>\n The voting age should be changed to 12 because young people should be able to vote. <\/em><\/p>\n This argument says that the law should be changed so young people can vote because <\/em>young people should be able to vote. It does not actually prove anything about young people\u2019s capacity to vote intelligently. Perhaps 12-year-olds should be able to vote, but the argument offers no evidence to prove that their claim\u2014that young people should be able to vote\u2014is valid. <\/p>\n Here is another example of circular reasoning:<\/p>\n The cat is orange because orange is the color of its fur.<\/em><\/p>\n This sentence uses the color of the cat\u2019s fur to finalize the color of the cat\u2019s fur; the conclusion is used as the evidence. <\/em><\/p>\n When considering your own arguments in a paper, watch out for circular reasoning!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s connect this back to the original issue:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When is <\/strong>\u201c<\/strong>it begs the question\u201d used properly?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt begs the question\u201d is a response to a logically circular argument. You can use \u201cit begs the question\u201d within a larger sentence, as in the one below:<\/p>\n To say that someone is a good leader because she has good leadership skills begs the question.<\/em><\/p>\n You don\u2019t actually need to explain how or why it begs the question. When you say, \u201cIt [that] begs the question,\u201d you imply that the argument you are responding to is illogical. <\/p>\n You can also use it as a stand-alone sentence, or as a response. Here is a sample conversation that uses \u201cit begs the question\u201d properly:<\/p>\n Person 1: I can say whatever I want, so you should let me say what I want. <\/p>\n Person 2: So you should be able to say whatever you want because I should let you?<\/em><\/p>\n Person 1: Exactly!<\/p>\n Person 2: That begs the question. <\/em><\/p>\n Despite all the confusion around this phrase, \u201cit begs the question\u201d is actually simple and can be used tastefully. And, if you catch someone using it incorrectly, be kind!<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n Samantha Bronkar is a senior on the softball team and will be participating in the England Abroad in fall 2017. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Samantha Bronkar \u201cIt begs the question\u201d is a commonly misused phrase. 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