Begging the question

Madam, – A letter about the Israeli offensive in Gaza, (January 23rd) says: “This begs the question: what is the real reason behind the onslaught?”

The Collins Essential English Dictionaryexplains "beg the question" as: "to put forward an argument that assumes the very point it is supposed to establish, or that depends on some other questionable assumption".

This prompts the question: how does a professor or a doctor of English allow this sloppy use of English to go unchallenged?

Correct use of English and an honourable, dissenting, valid opinion are not mutually exclusive. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL McGUIRE,

Burt,

Co Donegal.