Petitio (Noun)
Meaning
The logical fallacy of assuming the conclusion in the premises; begging the question.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The argument that God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because it is the word of God, is an example of petitio principii, as it uses a conclusion as one of its premises.
- The statement that "abortion is murder, which is morally wrong, and so abortion should be illegal" commits the logical fallacy of petitio by assuming that abortion is indeed murder.
- His proof that a supernatural force exists because inexplicable events happen, which is evidence of the supernatural, relies on petitio and is therefore flawed.
- Her assertion that corporations can only be controlled by the free market, because the free market can regulate itself most effectively, is a petitio because it includes an unfair assumption.
- By arguing that the best tax is a nonexistent one, since small taxes are good and no tax is the least tax of all, the politician engages in petitio to prove their preconceived conclusion.