You know, I still don't understand how it's supposed to be used correctly -- assuming the argument, I guess. I think it's fair to say "begging the question" in the old sense is quaint. (Which begs the question: why are we so keen to retain archaic meanings when the new ones are so useful?)
I'm very sorry if she tipped off anyone about your cunningly concealed herd of cows.
Simon ,'Safe'
Natter 64: Yes, we still need you
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
bon bon - Sep 15, 2009 7:03:56 pm PDT #9025 of 30001
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
brenda m - Sep 15, 2009 7:06:58 pm PDT #9026 of 30001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
What about begging the question? Will that ever be used correctly again? It's my favorite logical fallacy and Strega tells me that battle is lost as well.
I would say so. Frankly, the misuse is far more useful than the correct version, which is generally kind of confusing anyway.
X-post FTW.
Actionable is the one that gets under my skin.
Amy - Sep 15, 2009 7:08:15 pm PDT #9027 of 30001
Because books.
Frankly, the misuse is far more useful than the correct version, which is frankly kind of confusing.
What's the correct use?
brenda m - Sep 15, 2009 7:10:23 pm PDT #9028 of 30001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
Here's a reasonably clear explanation:
"Begging the question" is a form of logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.
A simple example would be "I think he is unattractive because he is ugly." The adjective "ugly" does not explain why the subject is "unattractive" -- they virtually amount to the same subjective meaning, and the proof is merely a restatement of the premise. The sentence has begged the question.
It may be that it's an archaic use of begged? Because that's part of the problem, I think - the name for the fallacy makes no obvious sense itself. The misuse seems more rational.
Amy - Sep 15, 2009 7:12:29 pm PDT #9029 of 30001
Because books.
Huh! I had never thought about that particular phrase, and that's interesting. Thank you, brenda!
bon bon - Sep 15, 2009 7:12:33 pm PDT #9030 of 30001
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
I think actionable has a precise legal meaning, not sure I know of it in other contexts.
Hil R. - Sep 15, 2009 7:12:37 pm PDT #9031 of 30001
Sometimes I think I might just move up to Vermont, open a bookstore or a vegan restaurant. Adam Schlesinger, z''l
I think that "beg the question" is a weird translation from a Latin phrase that, in a more modern translation, would make more sense. (I can't remember what the Latin is, though.)
Allyson - Sep 15, 2009 7:13:47 pm PDT #9032 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
(Which begs the question: why are we so keen to retain archaic meanings when the new ones are so useful?)
This is a job for erinaceous!
DavidS - Sep 15, 2009 7:15:59 pm PDT #9033 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
This is a job for erinaceous!
She's no prescriptivist.
She is, however, a Northern Californian now.
bon bon - Sep 15, 2009 7:16:06 pm PDT #9034 of 30001
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
I just used wordnik for the first time to see other uses for the word "actionable." Now that is a useful site!