presupposition
6
7.7
- noun
- /ˌpriːsəˌpəʊzɪˈʃən/
- Instead, its underlying presuppositions were the ground from which discussion arose, rather than the subject of thought.
- philosophical presuppositions
- general presupposition
- set of presuppositions
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Watch on YouTubeHe says the answer is very clear, the presupposition are false.
- He says the answer is very clear, the presupposition are false.
- And that is what a wonderful reply to somebody who's being a bit pretentious and has all these presuppositions about the nature of genre.
- So on the right, I think we've identified markers for people who've gone too far in their ideological presuppositions.
- Worse still, we take this step with the false presupposition that our truths and ideas will serve us as hitherto.
- They just want to have their presuppositions appeased and flattered.
Examples
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Still, the general presupposition down through the ages is that a promise ought to be kept.
Academic text (1999) -
What are the assumptions, the presuppositions of such a perspective?
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And let's also not make decisions based on our presuppositions and our emotions.
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The common sense is not what the mind free of presuppositions intuits, it's what the mind full of presuppositions concludes.
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The idea that Pumapunku was from Atlantean times we now know is based on a very transparently flawed presupposition.
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In any debate, it is essential to clarify the presupposition that underlies each argument.
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Her presupposition that all students would complete the assignment on time turned out to be incorrect.
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Understanding the presupposition behind his claims helped us engage in a more meaningful discussion.
Synonyms
467
3.5
A belief people accept as true without proof
203
5.9
An idea accepted as true that supports an argument
49
5.8
An idea accepted as true without proof used as a basis for thinking or action
23
7.3
An idea that people accept as true without proof
18
6.8
An opinion you form before you have enough facts that makes you judge unfairly
13
5.6
An opinion you form before you have enough facts
4
8.1
An idea accepted as true without proof and used to build a theory
4
3.3
A simple idea or belief that people accept without proof and that supports an argument
4
4.3
An opinion you make before you know the facts
3
7.9
An idea based on little evidence
1
9.3
An idea people accept without proof and use to build an argument
1
8.4
A statement accepted as true that is used to reach a conclusion
1
5.3
An opinion you form before you know enough facts
1
9.5
An idea you think may be true
1
9.6
A statement assumed true to use in an argument
1
9.3
An idea you have before you know or see something
Antonyms
How Certain
Surface Forms
Morphology
presupposition = presuppose (semi-transparent) = pre + suppose + ition
This is a fairly regular abstract noun from 'presuppose', but the formal -ition pattern makes the relationship slightly less obvious for learners than simpler suffixes.
Etymology
The word presupposition comes from pre- 'before' and suppose 'to think or assume'. A helpful way to remember it is that a presupposition is an idea you 'assume before' you start, so it is a basic belief taken for granted.