petitio principii: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / Academic / TechnicalFormal, academic, philosophical, logical
Quick answer
What does “petitio principii” mean?
A logical fallacy in which the conclusion of an argument is assumed in one of its premises, effectively begging the question.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A logical fallacy in which the conclusion of an argument is assumed in one of its premises, effectively begging the question.
The act of assuming the very point that needs to be proven, resulting in circular reasoning that offers no real support for the conclusion. More broadly, it can refer to any argument that fails to provide evidence because it presupposes the truth of its conclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the Latin term primarily in formal academic/logical contexts. The English translation 'begging the question' is more frequent in both, but may be slightly more common in American usage for non-technical audiences.
Connotations
Highly formal and technical in both varieties. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech. Found almost exclusively in academic texts on philosophy, logic, rhetoric, law, and occasionally in critical journalism or essays.
Grammar
How to Use “petitio principii” in a Sentence
[Subject] commits a petitio principii by assuming [Conclusion] in [Premise].The argument is a petitio principii.It's a case of petitio principii.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “petitio principii” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The philosopher argued that his opponent had petitio principiied by incorporating the conclusion into the definition.
- One must be careful not to petitio principii in setting out one's axioms.
American English
- The debater was accused of petitio principiing when his key premise just restated his claim.
- His entire thesis petitio principiis from the first chapter.
adverb
British English
- The thesis argued petitio principii, so it was rejected by the logic panel.
- He reasoned petitio principii, unsurprisingly reaching his foregone conclusion.
American English
- The legislation was defended petitio principii, assuming the very rights it was meant to confer.
- His paper proceeded petitio principii from the outset.
adjective
British English
- It was a petitio principii move, rhetorically clever but logically empty.
- He offered a petitio-principii definition that settled the debate by fiat.
American English
- The argument's structure was clearly petitio principii.
- She identified the petitio principii assumption at the heart of the theory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core use. Found in philosophy, logic, critical thinking, rhetoric, law, and theoretical papers in various humanities to critique an argument's foundation.
Everyday
Extremely rare. A highly educated speaker might use 'begging the question' instead.
Technical
Used precisely in logic, argumentation theory, and analytical philosophy to classify a formal fallacy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “petitio principii”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “petitio principii”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “petitio principii”
- Using 'begs the question' to mean 'raises the question' (a common error). Confusing it with other fallacies like 'argument from ignorance' (argumentum ad ignorantiam). Mispronouncing 'principii' as 'prin-KIP-ee-eye' instead of 'prin-SIP-ee-eye' or 'prin-KIP-ee-eye' are both accepted.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern logical terminology, they are synonyms. 'Begging the question' is the traditional English translation of the Latin 'petitio principii'. However, in everyday misuse, 'begs the question' is often used to mean 'invites the question' or 'raises the question', which is incorrect in formal logic.
Yes. 'The Bible is the word of God because it says so in the Bible.' The conclusion (Bible is God's word) is assumed in the premise (the Bible's statement). No independent evidence is provided.
Primarily in philosophy (especially logic and epistemology), rhetoric, law (when analysing legal reasoning), and critical thinking courses. It is a technical term from formal logic.
Because it fails to provide a reasoned justification for a belief. The argument is circular and does not advance knowledge; it merely re-states the conclusion in different words. A valid argument must provide independent premises that support the conclusion.
A logical fallacy in which the conclusion of an argument is assumed in one of its premises, effectively begging the question.
Petitio principii is usually formal, academic, philosophical, logical in register.
Petitio principii: in British English it is pronounced /pɪˌtɪʃiəʊ prɪnˈkɪpiaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈtɪʃioʊ prɪnˈsɪpiaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To beg the question (English translation and common idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PETitioning for the PRINCIPal Idea' – you're asking for the main point to be granted to you from the start, not proving it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS A JOURNEY / BUILDING. Petitio principii is a journey that ends where it began (circular path), or a building whose foundation is the same as its roof.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'petitio principii' specifically refer to?