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

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

The great argument that men are determined by the strongest motives, is a mere equivocation, and what logicians call petitio principii.

From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip

He is often guilty of a petitio principii, in taking it for granted that the institution of slavery is an injury to the slave, which is the very point in dispute.

From Cotton is King, and Pro-Slavery Arguments Comprising the Writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartrwright on This Important Subject by Elliott, E. N.

It is true that in a syllogism of this particular type, the petitio principii is disguised.

From A System Of Logic, Ratiocinative And Inductive (Vol. 1 of 2) by Mill, John Stuart

Zeno's famous dilemma, directed to prove that motion is impossible, covers a petitio principii.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William