To beg the question

To beg the question
Question Ques"tion, n. [F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See {Quest}, n.] 1. The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and answer. [1913 Webster]

2. Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question. [1913 Webster]

There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. -- John iii. 25. [1913 Webster]

It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for the propagation of the faith. -- Bacon. [1913 Webster]

3. Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

He that was in question for the robbery. Shak. The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

4. That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query. [1913 Webster]

But this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question. [1913 Webster]

6. Talk; conversation; speech; speech. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{In question}, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question.

{Leading question}. See under {Leading}.

{Out of question}, unquestionably. ``Out of question, 't is Maria's hand.'' --Shak.

{Out of the question}. See under {Out}.

{Past question}, beyond question; certainly; undoubtedly; unquestionably.

{Previous question}, a question put to a parliamentary assembly upon the motion of a member, in order to ascertain whether it is the will of the body to vote at once, without further debate, on the subject under consideration.

Note: The form of the question is: ``Shall the main question be now put?'' If the vote is in the affirmative, the matter before the body must be voted upon as it then stands, without further general debate or the submission of new amendments. In the House of Representatives of the United States, and generally in America, a negative decision operates to keep the business before the body as if the motion had not been made; but in the English Parliament, it operates to postpone consideration for the day, and until the subject may be again introduced. In American practice, the object of the motion is to hasten action, and it is made by a friend of the measure. In English practice, the object is to get rid of the subject for the time being, and the motion is made with a purpose of voting against it. --Cushing.

{To beg the question}. See under {Beg}.

{To the question}, to the point in dispute; to the real matter under debate. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Point; topic; subject. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • beg the question — means, strictly speaking, to question an unproved assumption that is used as the basis for an argument. For example, to ask ‘why do you listen to that rubbish?’ begs the question when the quality of the music is the point at issue. In general use …   Modern English usage

  • beg the question — In philosophy to beg the question is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • beg the question — ► beg the question 1) (of a fact or action) invite a question or point that has not been dealt with. 2) assume the truth of a proposition without arguing it. Main Entry: ↑beg …   English terms dictionary

  • beg the question — 1. To avoid giving an answer 2. To assume that the thing to be proved is already true in one of the premises, or in part of the proof (logic) 3. To raise an issue for debate (non standard) • • • Main Entry: ↑beg …   Useful english dictionary

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  • beg the question —    In philosophy to beg the question is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • To beg the question — Beg Beg, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Begged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Begging}.] [OE. beggen, perh. fr. AS. bedecian (akin to Goth. bedagwa beggar), biddan to ask. (Cf. {Bid}, v. t.); or cf. beghard, beguin.] 1. To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • beg the question — verb a) To engage in the logical fallacy of begging the question (petitio principii). The objection is that the argument begs the question, meaning that the premise, that God has all the virtues, assumes the conclusion, that God is benevolent. b) …   Wiktionary

  • beg the question — 1. if a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question. It s all very well talking about extra staff but it rather begs the question of how we re going to pay for them. 2. if something that someone says begs… …   New idioms dictionary

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