Aristotle on Begging the Question.

The article examines Aristotle's seminal discussion of the fallacy of begging the question (petitio principii), reconstructing its complex articulation within a variety of different, but related, contexts (the "dialectic" of the Topics and the Sophistical Refutations, the "logic" of the Aristotelian theory of syllogism, and the "epistemology" of the inquiry into "scientific" syllogisms). I suggest that close analysis of Aristotle's understanding of the fallacy should prompt critical reconsideration of the scope and articulation of the fallacy in modern discussions and usages, suggesting how begging the question should be distinguished from a number of only partially related argumentative faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Logical Analysis & History of Philosophy / Philosophiegeschichte und Logische Analyse is the property of Mentis Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)