beg the question

Main Entry:	beg the question
Part of Speech:	v
Definition:	to assume an answer to an unstated question or premise

beg the question

To assume what has still to be proved: “To say that we should help the region's democratic movement begs the question of whether it really is democratic.”

question  (n.)

Main Entry: ques·tion
Function: noun
1 : a particular query directed to a witness —compare INTERROGATORY

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hy·po·thet·i·cal question
/"hI-p&-'the-ti-k&l/
: a question directed to an expert witness (as a physician) that is based on the existence of facts offered in evidence and the answer to which is an opinion to be considered in light of the evidence
NOTE: Modern rules of evidence have lessened the need for a hypothetical question setting forth all of the facts to be assumed in answering the question. An expert witness may state an opinion based on data or facts considered reliable in his or her field even if not already disclosed or not admissible as evidence.

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leading question
: a question so framed or presented as to suggest a particular answer <leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop his testimony —Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611(c)>
NOTE: Leading questions are permitted in direct examination of an adverse witness or one who is a child or has a communication disorder. They are ordinarily permitted in cross-examination.
2 : a particular matter or issue that is in dispute, uncertain, or to be inquired into

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certified question
1 : a question of state law that may determine the outcome of a case pending in a federal court and that is submitted by the federal court to the state's highest court when there is no controlling state precedent
2 : a question of law submitted to a federal or state court by a lower court or tribunal certified question>

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federal question
: a question that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court because it requires a resolution of the construction or application of federal law —see also federal question jurisdiction at JURISDICTION

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po·lit·i·cal question
: a question that the court declines to consider because it involves a political matter that is not justiciable without infringing on the powers of the executive or legislative branch or is not accompanied by guiding policy or discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it —see also POLITICAL QUESTION DOCTRINE

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question of fact
: a question that depends on an examination of factual matters, is usually decided by a jury, and is usually not considered on appeal

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question of law
: a question that depends on an examination of law rather than fact, is decided by a judge rather than by a jury, and may be examined on appeal
3 : a proposition submitted to a vote (as in a referendum)

beg the question

Take for granted or assume the truth of the very thing being questioned. For example, Shopping now for a dress to wear to the ceremony is really begging the questionshe hasn't been invited yet. This phrase, whose roots are in Aristotle's writings on logic, came into English in the late 1500s. In the 1990s, however, people sometimes used the phrase as a synonym of "ask the question" (as in The article begs the question: "What are we afraid of?").