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Ok, so this is something that’s always bothered me, and I just recently discovered that I’m not alone in my concern over the issue. So very many people misuse the phrase “begs the question.” I take note every time I hear it inappropriately applied, especially in something mainstream like a newspaper or TV broadcast by journalists who should, you would think, work hard to utilize language correctly.

I did a little search on the phrase and found a whole website dedicated to setting the record straight on this. Plus, there are a bunch of other people pontificating about the problem. So, I’ll try not to be too redundant, but just say this:

“Begs the question” does NOT mean “raises the question” or “implies the question” or “makes me want to ask this other question.” It is not correct to say something like “he said he doesn’t like tomatoes, which begs the question ‘why is he growing tomatoes in his back yard?’” While that is the way most everyone uses it, it is not the actual meaning of the phrase.

The correct meaning is explained on the get it right website linked above:

“‘Begging the question’ is a form of logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.”

It is a phrase with origins in logic or argument, and it is used most appropriately in legal matters and debate. It is not a phrase that most people have need to use very often. So, the next time you are tempted to throw out the phrase in a simple colloquial context, please think twice and help preserve the true meaning of the phrase. The English language thanks you for it!

I’ve taken an interest in our country’s healthcare system lately. It seems to be quite a big topic with the presidential candidates and, from what I can tell with my limited perspective, it seems like it could use a good bit of help.

One thing that I’ve found interesting in the last couple of days is a series of stories on NPR’s All Things Considered where they are taking a look at the health care systems of other wealthy nations. On Monday, they reviewed Japan’s system and on Tuesday, they reported on Taiwan. I look forward to hearing more stories in this series.

It is certainly helpful and interesting to look at what other nations are doing, but it really doesn’t solve anything. Each system just has its own set of pros and cons. It simply reinforces the fact that healthcare is a huge and far-reaching issue that will never be easily solved, yet somehow, I think our nation is going to have to address it soon.

Since I have such a limited perspective, I try to refrain from making many judgments, but I do have two thoughts to share.

First, the report on Taiwan indicated that the Taiwanese government spends about 6% of its GDP on healthcare, and provides complete government-sponsored coverage for all citizens. The US spends closer to 15%, and we only cover people over 65 and we don’t even provide as much coverage for them. They also indicated that the percentage the US spends is pretty high compared to most wealthy nations. Now, I’m not saying that this is apples to apples, but it is at least a bit of an indication that our nation could afford to be more efficient in its provision for health care.

Second, I am a pretty big-time fiscal conservative, believing that a free market is the best path to growth and prosperity, yet I can’t help but think healthcare doesn’t react the same to an open market as other industries. The supply and demand relationship doesn’t seem to work the same way when people have to have the product (healthcare) in order to live. What is the value of a surgery if that surgery will save your life? Can an open and free market system balance these issues? I tend to think that healthcare to some degree will have to have heavier government regulation and even possibly government-sponsored programs. Of course, this really isn’t all that novel since we already do have government healthcare through medicare, it just is limited to people over 65.

So, what am I saying? I’m saying that I hope there are a whole lot of people smarter and more well informed than me working on this issue, because it is very complex, unusual, and in need of some help. And no matter what sound bites the presidential candidates from either party throw out, I seriously doubt there are any simple solutions to this problem.