swellguy (8/19/2011)

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David,

Yup, you're right, on 'begs the question.' Slipped through a couple editors, so good catch.

Thanks,

B

swellguy (8/18/2011)

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I think you articulate well a point I was trying to make. The poor pencil maker could have said 'no,' and explained the business reasons for his refusal, at any time.

David Walker-278941 (8/19/2011)

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You're welcome. Thanks for the kind reply. I'm just trying (probably in vain) to help a few phrases keep their original meaning!

Kenneth Fisher-475792 (8/22/2011)

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This being completely off the original topic, but since I like the phrase, and I didn't see anything wrong with the way it was used, what is it supposed to mean?

Kenneth Wymore (8/22/2011)

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I too was unaware that this phrase was being used incorrectly so I looked it up on Wikipedia. If I read the definition correctly then "begging the question" actually means to "assume the initial point". It is a logical falacy where a person is "begging" the listener to accept the "question" (proposition) before the labor of logic is undertaken. In other words, trying to argue for a conclusion when the initial question is only assumed and not wholly understood. If anyone has a clearer explanation of this, please share with the rest of us!

The phrase "Raises the question" is actually much more appropriate for the context of this article.