petitio principii

American  

[pi-tish-ee-oh prin-sip-ee-ahy, pe-tee-ti-oh pring-kip-i-ee] / pɪˈtɪʃ iˌoʊ prɪnˈsɪp iˌaɪ, pɛˈti tɪˌoʊ prɪŋˈkɪp ɪˌi /

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.

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petitio principii British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of petitio principii

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petitio principii

The proposition that property, i. e., the right to the substance of the thing appropriated, cannot be created by labour, because the land cannot be appropriated, is at least a petitio principii or tautology.

From Anarchism A Criticism and History of the Anarchist Theory by Zenker, Ernst Viktor

Lord Cottenham's reasoning appears to us, in short, based upon two fallacies—a petitio principii, in assuming that judgment was entered upon all the counts; the question being, was it so entered?

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 349, November, 1844 by Various

But in that case the objection to the plain man's view is a petitio principii, and not an argument.

From Kant's Theory of Knowledge by Prichard, Harold Arthur

Hence this is a petitio principii, a begging of the question.

From A Theodicy, or, Vindication of the Divine Glory by Bledsoe, Albert Taylor

Besides, the author, in this assertion, is guilty of a most glaring petitio principii.

From Know the Truth; A critique of the Hamiltonian Theory of Limitation by Jones, Jesse H.