LessonsSemantic Fallacies: Defects of Matter, Form, and PredicationQuiz

Not every argument with near-synonymous terms is faulty. If the minor premise is established independently, and the major is true, the conclusion may properly follow.

The defect called begging the question arises when the very premise in dispute is simply granted without justification. Changing its wording does not resolve the controversy.

For example, “this word occurs in the manuscript because the manuscript contains this word” simply restates an unverified observation. This is a supplementary illustration, not a claim about the wording of the textbook.

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When is a synonymous premise permissible?

Semantic Fallacies: Defects of Matter, Form, and Predication

Not every argument with near-synonymous terms is faulty. If the minor premise is established independently, and the major is true, the conclusion may properly follow.

The defect called begging the question arises when the very premise in dispute is simply granted without justification. Changing its wording does not resolve the controversy.

For example, “this word occurs in the manuscript because the manuscript contains this word” simply restates an unverified observation. This is a supplementary illustration, not a claim about the wording of the textbook.