... Petitio principii, meaning “to beg the main point” (or “assume without proof ”). Alternative Names: Petitio Principii Circular Argument Circulus in Probando Circulus in Demonstrando Vicious Circle Explanation Begging the question is the most basic and classic example of a Fallacy of Presumption because it directly presumes the conclusion which is at question in the first place. The origin of the begging the question fallacy can be traced back to the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.His original Greek writing was later translated to Latin, and one of the 13 fallacies listed in De Sophisticis Elenchis (Sophistical Refutations) was phrased as “petitio principii.”. See more. Information and translations of petitio principii in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. "Petitio" means to petition, or to appeal to, or to beg; "principii" is the principle which the reasoning seeks to explore, i.e. It is an attempt to prove a proposition while simultaneously taking the proposition for granted. If the premise is questionable, then the argument is bad. Latin, from petitio "petition" (see petition (n.)) + genitive of principium (see principle (n.)). Definition of beg the question in the Idioms Dictionary. Definition of petitio principii in the Definitions.net dictionary. petitio principii . The Latin term "petitio principii" is translated literally into English as "begging the question." Origin of Beg the Question. ‘This, with great respect, is a petitio principii - reasoning which assumes the very thing which requires decision.’ More example sentences ‘Here I shall simply observe that the objection is a gross petitio principii.’ We have Aristotle to thank for it—or, actually, an anonymous 16th century translator who took Aristotle's phrase petitio principii … It translates Greek to en arkhē aiteisthai "an assumption at the outset.". Begging the question is seen as a form of circular reasoning, and also known as “petitio principii” (Latin for “assuming the initial point”) and “chicken and the egg argument“. What does beg the question expression mean? Petitio principii definition, a fallacy in reasoning resulting from the assumption of that which in the beginning was set forth to be proved; begging the question. The formal meaning does, though, help us get to the origin of the phrase itself. Begging the question,, which is the taking of a thing for true or for granted, and drawing conclusions from it as such, when it is really dubious, perhaps false, o To "beg the question" (also called petitio principii) is to attempt to support a claim with a premise that itself restates or presupposes the claim. To Beg the Question. beg the question phrase. Begging the question, sometimes known by its Latin name petitio principii (meaning assuming the initial point), is a logical fallacy in which the writer or speaker assumes the statement under examination to be true.In other words, begging the question involves using a premise to support itself. Recently the phrase "to beg the question" has taken on a different meaning. Meaning of petitio principii. the issue in question. Definition. Legal definition for PETITIO PRINCIPII: In logic. Beg the question is a phrase from formal logic. What does petitio principii mean?