A cousin of begging the question hides the assumption in a question instead of a premise.
Key idea
A complex question has a hidden assumption built in, so that any direct answer grants it.
Why it works
"Have you stopped forgetting your homework?" looks like a yes-or-no question. But "yes" admits you used to forget it, and "no" admits you still do. The question is really two: did you ever forget it, and do you still? A fair reply splits them apart.
Worked example: Find the hidden claim
"Why are you always so rude to the new students?"
- The question assumes the person is always rude to new students.
- Any answer that starts "Because…" grants it.
Answer: Complex question. A fair reply: "I don't think I am. What did you see?"
| Complex question | What it assumes |
|---|---|
| Did you spend the club money on candy again? | You spent it on candy before |
| Where did you hide my toy? | You hid it |
| Are you still copying answers? | You copied before |
Common mistake
Answering the question instead of spotting the assumption. "Have you stopped forgetting your homework?" assumes you used to forget it. Before answering, ask: what would I be agreeing to with a yes, and with a no?