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Subject:verbal abuse of "begging the question" -Reply From:Michael Wilder <mwilder -at- SMTPLINK -dot- DELTECPOWER -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 12 Jun 1997 07:28:36 -0700
Someone said#
The fine phrase "to beg the question" is very fast becoming
synonymous with "to RAISE the question". I first remember hearing
this usage on a
TV commercial for some toothpaste, a couple of years ago. Something
about showing a dentist in his own bathroom brushing his teeth, and
this
"begging the question" of what toothpaste he used.
I remember crying out in pain when I heard this. ...and I've had to
cringe repeatedly since, as the new usage gradually forces-out the
real meaning of the phrase.
The real meaning of "to beg the question" is: TO EMPLOY AN ARGUMENT
THAT
ASSUMES AS VALID THE VERY SAME ARGUMENT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO PROVE
I retorted#
Language is a living, evolving entity used as a tool of expression.
As meaning changes so does language.
For example, the importance of respect in minority communities and
need for rapid expression has forced the word disrespect to become
the word dis. (There are lot of other reasons I sure.)
"Hey man, you disrepected me"
"Hey man, you dissed me"
The word dis is much more effective in conveying its intended
meaning.
Just some thoughts
MIke W.
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