SESSION EIGHT: DEALING WITH ASSUMPTIONS

We assume a lot. We assume that the planet will continue to revolve around the earth, and that groceries will appear in the local shops. Some assumptions are correct, and others test our ideas of what we expect.

In this session, you’ll learn about assumptions and how they can help in your everyday world, as well as how they need to be evaluated.

The Pros and Cons of Assumptions

An assumption is something that you presume to be true. Assumptions help us get through our everyday lives. You wouldn’t get very far in your day if you didn’t assume that gravity was still present and you kept testing it!

However, when thinking critically, you need to be very careful of assumptions that you and others make. Carefully evaluate assumptions and evaluate whether the person can reasonably make that assumption.

Is it reasonable to anticipate that your ideas (or someone else’s) can bear up to the scrutiny of others? That they are actually true?