From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Mon Jan 20 2003 - 01:40:36 GMT
DMB complained:
Further, my complaint about incomprehensible solipsism was not address to
this issue. It was addressed to Matt's use of the word to mean the use of a
premise with which he disagrees. This is the definition that nobody will
ever find in any dictionary and that's why I said it defies the english
language.
Matt replied:
Whew! Its a good thing I never said that 'begging the question' simply
amounted to disagreeing with premises and that I'd be using it that way.
Again, its more specific than that. When a person draws a conclusion that
they think you should have to logically agree with, but it hinges on a
premise you don't accept, then they are begging the question i.e. you can't
answer the question because the premises are already stacked against you.
DMB says:
Oh, how soon we forget. Yesterday you said it twice in a single post.
On Saturday Matt said:
When I say you are begging the question, I'm saying that you are accepting
a premise that I don't accept, therefore your conclusion isn't one I'm
likely to also reach.
And again in the next paragraph Matt said:
It means you are trying to answer a question in a way that's circular in
reasoning because a conclusion you reach is a specific and logical
consequence of a premise that another party doesn't accept. At least,
that's the way I will always be using the phrase because there are all
sorts of other ways to avoid an issue and question.
DMB says:
"Beg" is just a little three-letter word, the meaning of which has never
confused anyone that I've ever met. Its so simple! I find it pretty weird
that this should be an issue.
Yes, using the conclusion as a premise to come to that conclusion is
circular reasoning. Nobody disputes this. What I object to here is the idea
that this circularity has anything to do with what "another party doesn't
accept."
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