Chapter 5 - TYF, Summaries/Exercises

Chapter 5
Assumptions:
What’s Taken for Granted?

Summary:

Assumption means to take up or accept something. It is said to be an unproven belief. Critical thinkers must learn to identify hidden assumptions such as stereotypes, which are hasty generalizations. There are four types of assumptions. Unconscious or unwarranted assumptions are usually wrong and can lead to problems. A conscious assumption is used to gain more information and a warranted assumption is based on knowledge. They both are useful tools for problem solving.
A good persuasive argument is based on claims supported by facts, examples, evidence and reasoning, not assumptions.



















Discussion Break Questions
(Hidden Assumptions)

Identify and express the hidden assumptions underlying each of the following statements.

2. I couldn’t visit a Buddhist temple because they worship idols there.
a. Buddism is not a respected religion.
b. I am superior in my beliefs.
c. Buddist people would allow nonbelievers to visit.

3. How can that marriage counselor help people if he himself is divorced?
a. He is not a qualified counselor
b. It is his fault he is divorced
c. He did not try to work out his relationship with his spouse.

4. You go into a pharmacy and see a young woman standing behind the counter. You ask her if you can speak to the pharmacist. She tells you she is the pharmacist.
a. She is a pharmaceutical technician.
b. She is too young to be a pharmacist.
c. She is a female and cannot be the pharmacist.

5. You shouldn’t be critical of corporations. Aren’t you in favor of free enterprise?
a. All corporations should be trusted.
b. I am in favor of free enterprise.
c. I am not an owner of a corp

6. I can’t understand why I haven’t met my soul mate this year. My astrologer said I would.
a. My astrologer is always right
b. I will never meet my soulmate.
c. Everything my astrologer has told me, has been true.

7. Villagers in the Fiji Islands live in poverty and hardship. They do not have running water, baths, and toilets in their homes. It will take them a hundred years to catch up with the rest of the world.

a. The villagers are very poor.
b. They are very dirty and smelly.
c. They are behind time and not very smart.

8. In a television program about earthquake preparedness, an expert demonstrated his gas-driven generator. “In the event of a major disaster,” he said, “this generator would run our children’s television set so that they would have something to do.”
a. We allow our children to watch too much television.
b. Our kids would rather watch tv than read a story.
c. We will have a major disaster.