This document discusses the logical fallacy of begging the question. It provides an example of begging the question, where the argument "Murder is morally wrong, so euthanasia is morally wrong" assumes euthanasia is murder without proving it. The document explains that begging the question avoids addressing the most important question and focuses on an assumption presented as a proven fact. It also notes begging the question is similar to using a circular argument. The document provides additional examples to determine if they constitute begging the question and instructs readers to discuss their answers with a partner.

1. Logical Fallacies: Begging the Question

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3. The Begging the Question Fallacy
A Common Core Lesson
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Gregg Berry, B. A.
Common Core Curriculum Solutions
www.commoncorecurriculum.info

4. Reading with Your Eyes and Your Brain
Skillful readers learn how to read persuasive or
opinionated text with a very critical eye. They
realize that the author’s purpose is to convince the
reader to believe what the author is saying and to
consider the arguments given as valid even if they
violate logical reasoning and lack supporting
evidence. The author’s motive may be to get the
reader to buy something, vote a certain way,
change an attitude, or behave differently.

5. • In order to avoid manipulation by the author,
good readers learn how to detect poor
reasoning and faulty arguments. They are
able to identify the various logical fallacies
such as begging the question, strawman,
overgeneralization, slippery slope, and
others. During this lesson, we will study
logical fallacies.

6. Fuzzy phrases such as “the regular American
worker” are often used to avoid logical arguments.

7. Sometimes authors use diversionary
tactics, such as “begging the question”,
to avoid dealing with the real issue.

8. Asking the wrong questions in an
argument can lead to faulty conclusions.

9. Example of Begging the Question
Here’s an example of begging the question, in which a
premise which is needed to make the argument valid is
completely ignored: “Murder is morally wrong. So
euthanasia is morally wrong.” The premise that gets
left out is “euthanasia is murder.” And that is a
debatable premise—again, the argument “begs” or
evades the question of whether euthanasia is murder
by simply not stating the premise. The arguer is hoping
we’ll just focus on the more acceptable idea, “Murder
is morally wrong,” and not notice what is being
assumed.

10. Begging the question fallacy purposely avoids the most
important question and focuses on a question that
assumes that the debatable issue is already true.

11. Begging the question is similar to
using a circular argument that does
not address the original question.

12. Begging the Question Animated
2 min

13. Is this a begging the question fallacy?
Why? Why Not?
•Paranormal activity is real
because I have experienced what
can only be described as
paranormal activity.

14. Explanation
•The claim, “paranormal activity is real”
is supported by the premise, “I have
experienced what can only be
described as paranormal activity.” The
premise presupposes, or assumes, that
the claim, “paranormal activity is real”
is already true.

15. Is this a begging the
question fallacy?
The reason everyone wants the new "Slap
Me Silly Elmo" doll is because this is the
hottest toy of the season!

16. Explanation
Everyone wanting the toy is the same
thing as it being "hot," so the reason
given is no reason at all—it is simply
rewording the claim and trying to
pass it off as support for the claim.

17. Is this a begging the question
fallacy?
Since carbohydrates turn into glucose, a
form of sugar, they contribute to developing
diabetes.
Go to Next Frame

18. Pair Share
Since carbohydrates turn into
glucose, a form of sugar, they
contribute to developing diabetes.
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.

19. Is this a begging the
question fallacy?
Happiness is the highest good for a human
being, since all other values are inferior to it.
Go to Next Frame

20. Pair Share
Happiness is the highest good for a
human being, since all other values
are inferior to it.
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.

21. Is this a begging the question fallacy?
Of course smoking causes cancer. The
smoke from cigarettes is a carcinogen.
Go to Next Frame

22. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Of course smoking causes cancer. The
smoke from cigarettes is a carcinogen.

23. Keeping terrorists out of the country can
be accomplished by improving airport
security and border security.
Go to Next Frame
Is this a begging the
question fallacy?

24. Pair Share
Keeping terrorists out of the
country can be accomplished by
improving airport security and
border security.
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.