(Hidden) Assumptions

Unstated claims implied in arguments, hypotheses, etc., which, if made clear or expressed directly, would be telling factors influencing one's decision whether to accept those arguments or hypotheses – claims taken for granted in formulating arguments, etc. It should be noted that information consumers may recognize and subject such assumptions to critical analysis without waiting for advocates or critics to articulate or draw attention to them. Doing this is frequently more challenging than might first appear.

(see also: presumption, context, background information, argument, claim, evidence, conclusion, establish, support, ground, justification, controversies)