Logical Fallacy of Question-Begging Complex Question / Framing Fallacy / Loaded Question / Not Understanding the Problem / Defining the Problem Incorrectly / Trick Question / Multiple Question / Plurium Interrogationum / Fallacy of Many Question

Whenever a logical fallacy is committed, the fallacy has its roots in Agrippa's trilemma which is simply the fact that the foundation of all human thought (without Divine revelation) is based on one of three unhappy possibilities. These three possibilities are infinite regression, circular reasoning, or bare assertions without any evidence. The question-begging complex question, a form of circular reasoning, is one of these three unhappy possibilities.

The logical fallacy of question-begging complex question / framing fallacy / loaded question / not understanding the problem / defining the problem incorrectly / trick question / multiple question / plurium interrogationum / fallacy of many questions occurs when a question that requires several answers is asked. Often, a single simple answer is demanded. The question or problem is often posed in a way that steers the conclusion or when a solution or answer is sought without first correctly defining the problem/question. These types of questions have presuppositions hidden within them, are asked. The problem is being misunderstood because of presuppositions. Presuppositions are hidden in words and phrases like obviously, why, when, how, we already know, or anyone can see that. Presuppositions is a powerful method of deception and one of the tools of the hypnotic technique of neuro linguistic programming.

Examples of the Logical Fallacy of Question-Begging Complex Question / Framing Fallacy / Loaded Question / Not Understanding the Problem / Defining the Problem Incorrectly / Trick Question / Multiple Question / Plurium Interrogationum / Fallacy of Many Questions

Sandy: "If the Earth is only a few thousand years old, why does it appear so old?"

Rocky: "I'll answer that question after you answer this one. If the Earth is 4.7 billion years old, why does it appear so young?"

Sandy is presupposing a conclusion, "The Earth appears old," into his question. Rocky points this out with a bit of dry humor.

"We must then ask ourselves, wow did dinosaur soft tissue and blood survive for millions of years?"

This question presupposes millions of years, when there is no real evidence to support millions of years.

"Why don’t Christians believe in science?"

This question presupposes that Christians don’t believe in science, when Christians tend to understand science better that unbelievers. When it is implied that Christians don't understand science, the question is rarely science. The question is the basis of reason, the starting point for thinking. Atheism, Evolutionism, and Old-Earthism, for instance, are based on assumptions as a starting point for reason. This is as opposed to that which has a starting point of revelation and an ongoing, moment-by-moment experience of being led by Christ and instructed by the Holy Ghost.

"How can anyone be so stupid as to believe the Bible?"

This question presupposes that it is stupid to believe the Bible, when it’s ignorant to fail to believe the Bible.

"Why is evolution so critical to biology?"

This question presupposes that evolution is critical to biology, when it is not.