(Hidden) Assumptions
 
 

(Hidden) Assumptions

Unstated claims implied in or underpinning 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 or ideas taken for granted which have the potential to mislead. 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.

 

Some simple examples of assumptions are:

 

He’s doesn’t support the present administration because he voted for Senator Free (Ind).

 

Ü

Assumes, amongst other things, that constituents who back candidates other than those endorsed by the current party in office cannot or do not favour the government of that same ruling party.

 

 

 

 

I’ll give that part-time position in the office to Liz Tan – she’s an Asian American at Logan-Tech – so I’m sure she’s a good student and will be a hard worker.

 

Ü

Assumes, amongst other things, that all (or almost all) female Asian Americans are good students and, by extension, hard workers.

 

 

 

 

More people choose to buy ‘La Guardia’ lighting products than any other brand.

 

Ü

Assumes, amongst other things, that if more people have bought such products then such products are superior or better in some way, built on the foundation that when there are greater numbers of purchasers this suggests that such a choice is a competent one. And also that the factors leading those many other consumers to their choice would be relevant to oneself. The conclusion implied is that other consumers would be well-advised to also choose La Guardia products as they are a wise choice.

 

 

 

 

(see also: self-correction, presumptioncontext, background information, argument, claim, evidence, conclusionestablish, support, ground, justification, controversies, supposition, presupposition, predisposition)

 

 
 
 
 
Labels: assumptions (hidden), hidden assumptions, assumptions, assume, definition: ‘assumptions’, definition: ‘hidden assumptions’
The content on this page is provided by a Google Notebook user, and Google assumes no responsibility for this content.