What does 'begging the question' mean?

Answer 1

The meaning of "To beg the question" (assuming something in the question) is best illustrated with some examples.

• "I think he is unattractive because he is ugly." This sentence merely restates the original point. It is begging the question.
• "When did you stop beating your wife?". This sentence is stating that you used to beat your wife. This may not be true. It is begging the question.
• "Would you like tea or coffee?" This begs the question about whether you want a drink at all. It assumes something about the answer implicit in the question.

To beg the question does NOT mean to askthe question!

People say things like: "The weather is hot which begs the question - will more people stay in this country for their holidays ? " This really means "which raises the question". That is not what "begs the question" means.

Answer 2

==One Answer== The phrase "begs an answer" has become quite commonly used in the last few years (perhaps decades) both in print and in speech. It is used to indicate a "request" for an answer from the party who has the ability to provide the information that will answer the question. It connotes that the need for an answer is obvious. It is most likely a derivative of the phrase "begs the question" which in informal speech generally means "raises the question" in a situation where a point or statement has been made that automatically leads to the need for additional information. It connotes that the need for another question and answer is obvious. The meaning of the phrase "begs the question" as discussed here is a modern corruption of its meaning in formal logic. There is a brief discussion of the phrase at the link provided below.

Answer 3

It means basing the question on a premise that has yet to be established. For example if a random man in the street is asked, "Have you stopped beating your wife?", this begs the question by assuming he is married and that, if married, he beats his wife. The phrase is sometimes incorrectly used to mean "raises the question". For example, in the above someone might say "This begs the question, should there be stronger laws against wife-beating?", when they should correctly say, "This raises the question, should there be stronger laws against wife-beating?"