Q&A: Begging the Question
Begging the Question
Question
Hi Rabbi, I noticed that in every argument from which one concludes that God exists, or alternatively that God does not exist, the conclusion is necessarily being assumed from the start. If one shows the other, using a simple application of the rule of implication, you can see that the very basic premise itself is the existence or non-existence of God. Is there any point in investigating faith? After all, if all our claims ultimately stem from the basic assumption of what we already believe, then what is the point of the inquiry? It would seem that each person should simply live according to what he believes. In the end, the whole investigation has no meaning.
Answer
You’re pushing on an open door. See my article here:
And also column 194.