5 question

Assumption

An assumption is an implicit belief taken for granted to be true. It is an unstated reason. Every piece of reasoning or argument has its assumptions. The challenge is to identify the significant assumptions of a piece of reasoning. The more complex the piece of reasoning, the more challenging it will be to identify its significant assumptions. Here are some examples of short pieces of reasoning and their assumptions:

1. Premise or Stated Reason: Joe is a college athlete.

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Conclusion: So, Joe shouldn't have any problems getting dates.

The main assumption or unstated reason in this piece of reasoning or argument is that college athletes don't have problems getting dates.

Note also that the assumption connects the key phrase "is a college athlete" in the stated reason and the key phrase "shouldn't have any problems getting dates" in the conclusion.

2. P or Stated Reason: Saddam has chemical weapons.

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C: So, Saddam must be disarmed.

The main assumption or unstated reason here is that those who have chemical weapons must be disarmed.

Note also that the assumption connects the key phrase "has chemical weapons" in the stated reason and the key phrase "must be disarmed" in the conclusion.

3. P or Stated Reason: Jones lives in Vegas.

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C: So, Jones must be addicted to gambling.

The main assumption or unstated reason here is that those who live in Vegas are addicted to gambling.

Note also that the assumption connects the key phrase "lives in Vegas" in the stated reason and the key phrase "must be addicted to gambling" in the conclusion.

Implication

An implication is a logical entailment or probable or predictable consequence of a given statement or claim. It is a further statement you are logically led to accept as a result of accepting an initial statement, or a probable consequence of accepting the initial statement. You identify the implications of a given statement by asking the question "If I accept statement X, what other statements would that lead me to accept?" or "What other statements are consequences or results of accepting statement X?" The test of whether any statement Y is an implication of a given statement X is that Y must be true if X is true.

Here are some examples of statements and their implications:

1a. It is raining outside. (X)

This statement implies the following statement.

1b. There is water on the ground outside. (Y)

2a. Max has AIDS. (X)

This statement implies the following statement.

2b. Max is HIV positive. (Y)

3a. All Phil 102 students are smart. (X)

This statement implies the following statement.

3b. Jenny, a philosophy 102 student, is smart. (Y)