A Conversation for Circular Reasoning
Begging the Question
The Artist formerly known as Hullabaloo Started conversation Feb 23, 2002
This entry is clear, concise and accurate 
I'd like to add, though, that in logic this fallacy is also known as 'begging the question' (from Aristotle) - which means assuming what you're trying to prove instead of questioning it - letting the question go begging. Lucinda (et al) describes this fallacy very clearly.
The phrase is much misused by journalists, sociologists, and others who can't understand the concept. These people imagine that 'begging the question' or 'begs the question' is some higher and more impressive-sounding form of 'demands/ invites the question' (e.g. of what politician x was doing with financier y), but it doesn't mean this at all.
Hull 
Begging the Question
Decaf Silicon Posted Feb 23, 2002
Oh, goody. I've been using that phrase wrongly for years. Good to know.
Begging the Question
The Artist formerly known as Hullabaloo Posted Feb 23, 2002
DS -
There is the argument that this usage is now so common that it's become accepted as correct. I don't agree with that, but there may be a point there.
Hull
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Begging the Question
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