Wikipedia: The term [to beg the question] was translated into English from Latin in the 16th century. The Latin version, petitio principii, can be interpreted in different ways. Petitio (from peto), in the post-classical context in which the phrase arose, means assuming or postulating, but in the older classical sense means petition, request or beseeching.[2][3] Principii, genitive of principium, means beginning, basis or premise (of an argument). Literally petitio principii means assuming the premise or assuming the original point.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:45:35 +0000