Begging the Question
Tom Cruise
Period 3
Begging the Question: Definition
• This happens when the speaker assumes “the
truth of a conclusion that has not been
proved.”
• This error leads to an argument that goes
around and around, with evidence making the
same claim as the proposition.
Begging the Question: Written Example
• Fallacy: The reason people love these movies
is because they are so popular and make so
much money.
• Hidden Logic: These movies are popular
because they make so much money. They
make a lot of money because people like
them. People like them because they are so
popular.
Begging the Question:
Real World Example (Video)
• Context: During the 2008 election,
Republicans criticized the media for being
biased in favor of Barack Obama.
• Link:
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commer
cials/2008/obama-love-10-web
Begging the Question: Real World Example
Explanation
• The hidden logic of the claim in the ad looks
like this:
– The media love Obama.
– Obama is popular.
– Obama is popular because the media love
Obama.
• They are assuming that the media is causing
Obama to be popular, when that may not be
the cause for his popularity.
Works Cited
• Aaron, Jane E. ed. The Compact Reader:
Short Essays by Method and Theme. Boston:
Bedford St. Martin’s, 2008.
• "Commercials - 2008 - Obama Love 10
(Web)." The Living Room Candidate. Museum
of the Moving Image, 2008. Web. 16 Nov.
2010.
<http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/comme
rcials/2008/obama-love-10-web>.
• Gunnar, R. “Argument: Logical Fallacies &
Propaganda.” Mr. Gunnar’s English Class. 7
Dec. 2009.