petitio principii

[pi-tish-ee-oh prin-sip-ee-ahy, pe-tee-ti-oh pring-kip-i-ee]

noun

Logic.

1. a fallacy in reasoning resulting from the assumption of that which in the beginning was set forth to be proved; begging the question.

petitio principii

/ pɪˈtɪʃɪˌəʊ prɪnˈkɪpɪˌaɪ /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: petitio. logic a form of fallacious reasoning in which the conclusion has been assumed in the premises; begging the question

Word History and Origins

Origin of petitio principii¹

1525–35; < Medieval Latin petītiō prīncipiī, translation of Greek tò en archêi aiteîsthai the assumption at the outset

Word History and Origins

Origin of petitio principii¹

C16: Latin, translation of Greek to en arkhei aiteisthai an assumption at the beginning