Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Media, Real Life, Politics, Movies & Ads

Begging The Question Fallacy

What is Begging The Question Fallacy?

The Begging The Question Fallacy In the English language, a fallacy is a logically incorrect statement. There is a variety of these statements, and one of the most common is the begging the question fallacy. This particular fallacy occurs when a person tries to prove a statement by citing proof that is equal to that statement.

The fallacy of “petitio principii” or “begging the question” occurs when someone assumes the truth of the conclusion of an argument in one of the premises.

The fallacy is often confused with the argument from ignorance fallacy of asserting that because something has not been proven false, it must be true.

For example, it would be begging the question to say, “There is no God because there are no eyewitnesses.

To beg the question means to purposely drag in facts or concessions that support a particular point of view. There is a deliberate lack of clarity in how a question is framed. The person who asks the question may be very clever in how they say it or what they say to prompt someone to answer.

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples in real life

The Begging The Question Fallacy is used when a person assumes that an argument is true when it has not been proved while also assuming the same argument.

For example, “I can tell you’re intelligent because you say you’ve seen auras.” In order to avoid this fallacy, one must first prove that one is capable of sensing auras. This fallacy is often used because it is a very difficult argument to disprove.

“Begging the question” is a type of circular logic that is sometimes used in arguments. The phrase is most often used to describe someone who repeats the same argument without providing anything new. It can also be used to describe when a person assumes what they are trying to prove by the argument they make. The fallacy is known by many as “asking the same question.”

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Media

Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in Media:

The media is often guilty of begging the question fallacy when they present a biased perspective on an issue and then use that bias to make their conclusion.  This type of fallacy is often seen in news reports about controversial topics like immigration or gun control.

In these cases, the media will show a clip from one side of the debate but not include any evidence from other perspectives.

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Advertising

Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in Advertising:

The phrase “you deserve a break today” is begging the question because it assumes that you need a break and then asks if you want one.

A billboard for an apartment complex says, “Live where your kids can’t afford to live.” This statement begs the question of what kind of people would be able to afford to live in this complex.

An expensive watch advertisement claims that it’s worth every penny because its quality surpasses other watches on the market. This claim begs the question of why these other watches are not as good.

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Politics

 Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in Politics:

The fallacy of begging the question is committed when one assumes as a premise for argument what he or she should be proved in order to establish its truthfulness.  This type of fallacy can also occur when someone offers an explanation that does not explain anything but instead relies on another assumption.

An example of this would be if a politician were asked why they were running for office and responded with, “I want to help people.”

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Movies

Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in Movies:

When a character in the film is accused of something, and they respond by denying it, but their response is an example of the thing they are accused of.

In The Matrix, Neo’s “I know kung-fu” statement to Morpheus is an example because he doesn’t really know how to fight yet.

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In Literature

Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in Literature:

The fallacy of begging the question is when someone assumes what they are trying to prove in their argument.

For example, if I say, “I know it’s raining outside because the ground is wet,” then I am assuming that rain makes things wet.  This means that my conclusion (that it’s raining) relies on an assumption (rain makes things wet) that hasn’t been proven yet.

Begging The Question Fallacy Examples In News

Examples of Begging The Question Fallacy in News:

The headline “President Trump’s Approval Rating Hits 50%” is a prime example of a begging a question fallacy in the news.  This article contains no evidence to back up its claim that President Trump’s approval rating has reached 50%, so it begs the question.

A more accurate headline would be “President Trump Approval Rating at 49%.”