Begging the Question is a logical fallacy and someone begs the question when they state something with a premise that assumes the conclusion.
Begging the Question Example
An example statement that begs the question is “god exists because the bible says so”. If we ask for elaboration on the validity of the bible “How do we know the bible is right”? Then we really get the logical fallacy in its entirety “The bible is right because it is the word of god”.
I’ll condense the above statement to “god exists because the bible says so and I know the bible is right cause it is the word of god”. This statement seeks to validate the conclusion with a premise that assumes the conclusion. This does not mean a god does not exist but it does invalidate this statements validity in structure.
Begging the Question Logic Structure
Premise: A is true because of B
Conclusion: B is true because of A
Helpful Sources
I Think Therefore I Am
The assumption that I or we exists because we are thinking was summed up in the statement “I think therefore I am” or “Cogito ergo sum“. This is built in a way that is fallacious and begs the question. However, it is so often overlooked and not questioned because it seems so obvious.
The conclusion is presumed in the initial statement. “I” is presumed to exist and be thinking and this leads to the conclusion that “I” exists.
Argumentation Tactic
This one is rather simple to deal with and lies in your ability to slow the conversation down and explain the fallacy. You will probably have to give examples of the fallacy on a subject not emotionally significant to the person using the fallacy. This will help them understand the why their argument is not logical. For example if they are arguing from a conservative republican stand point choose a left wing democrat example, this will lessen the chances of them freezing up on you emotionally.