Example Conversation with AI
by Harvey Block
(2023/08/21)
Here is my conversation with ChatGPT (the new Artificial Intelligence chat program)
about the original usage of the phrase "that begs the question."
I am quite amazed that this is a conversation with a machine and not a real person!
Evolution of "Begging the Question"
Me:
The phrase "that begs the question" seems to have an early meaning
that in recent years gets used in a way somewhat differently from what it originally meant.
Do you see it this way too?
ChatGPT:
Yes, you're correct.
The phrase "begging the question" has undergone a shift in usage over time,
leading to a distinction between its original meaning and how it's often used today.
Originally, "begging the question" was a term used in formal logic to refer to a specific type of fallacy
where an argument assumes the truth of the conclusion it is trying to prove,
without providing any external evidence or support.
This circular reasoning renders the argument logically invalid.
In this context, "begging" means "assuming" or "presupposing,"
and "the question" refers to the issue or point being debated.
However, in contemporary usage,
the phrase "begging the question" has been used to mean "raising the question" or "inviting the question."
For example, someone might say,
"His behavior begs the question of whether he can be trusted."
This usage can be traced back to its frequent misuse and misunderstanding,
as well as linguistic evolution over time.
This shift in meaning has caused confusion and debate among language enthusiasts and purists,
as the phrase's original technical meaning is often lost or overlooked in favor of its more modern usage.
Language is fluid and constantly evolves, which sometimes leads to changes in the meanings of phrases and words.
As a result, understanding the context and intent behind the use of the phrase "begging the question"
is crucial to correctly interpret its intended meaning.
Me:
Elaborate on its original meaning with some examples and what was meant by them.
ChatGPT:
Certainly!
The original meaning of "begging the question" comes from the field of formal logic and refers to a logical fallacy
where an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion without actually providing any evidence
or reasoning to support that conclusion.
This circular reasoning renders the argument logically invalid because it doesn't offer any new information
to justify the conclusion.
Here's an example to illustrate the original meaning:
Example:
Premise: "The Bible is the infallible word of God."
Conclusion: "Therefore, everything it says is true."
In this example, the conclusion is essentially restating the premise in different words.
The argument is assuming the truth of the conclusion ("everything it says is true")
without providing any additional evidence or reasoning to demonstrate why the Bible's statements should be considered true.
This is an example of begging the question because the argument relies on the assumption of its own conclusion.
Another common way this fallacy is expressed is by using different words that are synonymous with the conclusion,
but without actually providing any new evidence:
Example:
Premise: "Our product is the best on the market because it's the most superior."
Conclusion: "Therefore, our product is the best on the market."
In this example, the argument uses synonyms like "most superior" and "best" to restate the conclusion.
Again, the argument is assuming the truth of the conclusion without providing any independent evidence
for why the product is the best.
The key element in "begging the question" is that the argument fails to provide new,
independent reasons or evidence for the conclusion, and instead relies on the assumption of the conclusion itself.
It's important to note that this is a fallacy because it doesn't advance the argument;
it just restates the same point in different words.
However, as mentioned earlier, over time the phrase "begging the question"
has often been used to mean "raising the question" or "inviting the question,"
which is a departure from its original logical fallacy meaning.
This shift in usage has led to the confusion and debate surrounding the phrase's correct interpretation.
Me:
Ok give some examples where the words "that begs the question" is in the example statement, and then explain.
ChatGPT:
Of course!
Here are a few examples of how the phrase "that begs the question" is used in modern language,
along with explanations for each:
Example: "Her refusal to answer the question about her involvement in the incident only begs the question further."
In this example, "that begs the question" is used to indicate that the person's refusal to answer the question
actually raises or prompts additional questions.
The statement suggests that the lack of an answer itself prompts a need for more information.
However, this usage is a departure from the original logical fallacy meaning,
as it's not indicating circular reasoning but rather highlighting an unanswered inquiry.
Example: "His expensive lifestyle and fancy car that he can't afford only begs the question:
How does he manage his finances?"
Here, "that begs the question" implies that the situation or fact presented
(the expensive lifestyle and fancy car) prompts a question or curiosity about how the person manages their finances.
The phrase is used to introduce a question that arises from the given information.
Example: "The increasing crime rate in the city begs the question of whether
the current law enforcement strategies are effective."
In this instance, "that begs the question" suggests that the rising crime rate leads to
the question of whether the existing law enforcement strategies are working.
The phrase is used to introduce a question prompted by a specific situation or observation.
In these examples, "that begs the question" is used to indicate that a certain circumstance
or fact raises a question or issue that requires further consideration or explanation.
This usage has evolved from the original logical fallacy meaning,
which involved circular reasoning without providing evidence or support for a conclusion.
The contemporary usage often reflects a sense of prompting curiosity or inquiry,
rather than indicating a logical fallacy.
Me:
Well I meant examples of the original use.
ChatGPT:
I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Here are examples of the original use of "begging the question"
in the context of a logical fallacy:
Example: "We know that the Loch Ness Monster exists because there have been countless sightings reported."
In this example, the argument is using the claim that there have been sightings of the Loch Ness Monster
as evidence for its existence.
However, this argument is begging the question by assuming the conclusion (the existence of the Loch Ness Monster)
without providing any independent evidence that the reported sightings are credible or accurate.
Example: "The universe must have a creator because everything has a cause, and the universe is no exception."
In this argument, the premise that "everything has a cause" is used to support the conclusion
that the universe must have a creator.
However, this is a circular argument that begs the question.
The argument is assuming the very thing it's trying to prove (that the universe has a creator)
without providing external evidence for that assertion.
Example: "Our theory is correct because it's based on ancient wisdom that has been passed down for generations."
In this example, the argument claims that the theory is correct because it's based on ancient wisdom.
However, this argument is begging the question by assuming that the ancient wisdom is accurate and reliable,
without providing any independent validation or evidence for the accuracy of that wisdom.
In each of these examples, the original usage of "begging the question" involves an argument
that relies on the assumption of its own conclusion without providing independent evidence or reasoning.
This circular reasoning renders the argument logically invalid.
The phrase "begging the question" refers to the logical fallacy where an argument assumes what it's trying to prove,
and this fallacy was often used in discussions of formal logic and philosophy.
Me:
Okay, one more try; give several examples of the original meaning where the phrase
"that begs the question" is in the statement, and explain what is meant.
ChatGPT:
I apologize for the confusion earlier. Here are examples of the original use of "begging the question"
where the phrase is included in the statement, along with explanations:
Example: "The reason she should be elected is because she's the most qualified candidate, which begs the question:
How do we know she's the most qualified?"
In this example, the phrase "begs the question" is used to introduce a circular argument.
The argument is that she should be elected because she's the most qualified candidate,
but this argument assumes the conclusion (that she's the most qualified)
without providing evidence or reasons for that assertion.
The question posed afterward highlights the circular nature of the argument.
Example: "We can trust this expert's opinion because they have a lot of experience in the field, which begs the question:
How do we know their experience is relevant to this specific issue?"
Here, "begs the question" is used to point out that the argument relies on the assumption
that the expert's experience is relevant to the issue at hand.
The argument assumes the conclusion (that the expert's opinion is trustworthy)
without providing evidence that their experience directly applies to the specific issue being discussed.
Example: "He must be telling the truth because he said so himself, which begs the question:
Why should we accept his word as proof?"
In this instance, "begs the question" is used to highlight that the argument assumes
the conclusion (that he's telling the truth) based solely on his own statement.
The question raised afterward challenges the validity of using his own statement as evidence
without independent corroboration.
In each of these examples, the phrase "begs the question" is used to indicate that the argument
is committing a logical fallacy by assuming the truth of the conclusion
without offering external evidence or independent reasoning.
It's important to note that this original usage involves circular reasoning and is a formal logical fallacy.
Me:
After reading all these examples,
1) it seems that the original and modern usage have only a very subtle difference,
and 2) the modern usage is only a slight generalization of the original meaning.
No wonder it is not understood by most people that there ever was a change in the usage/meaning at all.
Thank you.
ChatGPT:
You're absolutely right in your observations.
The difference between the original and modern usage of "begging the question" is indeed subtle,
and the modern usage can be seen as a generalization of the original meaning.
The evolution of language often involves shifts in meaning that can be quite nuanced, and in this case,
the shift has led to confusion and the blurring of the original intent.
Language is a living entity, subject to change and adaptation over time,
and such shifts in meaning can sometimes go unnoticed by most people.
It's great to see your thoughtful analysis of this linguistic evolution.
If you have any more questions or topics you'd like to explore, feel free to ask!
You can try asking a question yourself.
(It is free, but you will need to create your own login to it.
Then it will remember all your conversations.)
ChatGPT
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(2023/08/21 rev 2023/11/03) on HarveyBlock.Net