(urth) torturing BTQ

[Jeff Wilson]

James Wynn wrote:
>>> Also, while Severian *says* he has perfect memory, it begs the 
>>> question "How does he know that?"
>>
>> BTQ abuse makes the Baby Theoanthropos cry.
>> http://begthequestion.info/
>> You can make a difference.
> 
> Thanks for not reporting my BTQ abuse to Logic Protective Services. ;-)
> 
> Still, while I can see how the term "begs the question" might be misused 
> ("Which begs the question, who made James a logician?") , it has never 
> been clear to me why "begs the question" is bad form to introduce a 
> question that *properly* illustrates an unsupported premise in a statement.

Because it was coined to refer not to a premise but a conclusion 
supported in a specific, fallacious way, that of circular reasoning. 
Sev's claim is supported in a different fallacious way, involving 
confirmation bias.

-- 
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com
< http://www.io.com/~jwilson >