Word: premise (noun)

Associations

The word "premise" refers to a statement or idea that is assumed to be true and is used as a basis for further reasoning or argument. It is often used in discussions, logic, or arguments to build a conclusion.

• In a debate, the premise of the argument is the main idea that everyone agrees upon. This sets the stage for what will be discussed.
• In philosophy, when discussing ethical theories, the premise often includes basic beliefs about what is right or wrong.
• In writing, especially in essays, the premise is the foundational idea that supports the whole argument.

When comparing "premise" with "assumption," the key difference is that a premise is more structured and often used in logic or formal arguments, while an assumption can be more informal and based on personal belief or perception.

Substitution

Some words and phrases that can be used in place of "premise" include:

• "foundation" - This suggests a base idea but is often broader and doesn't always imply an argument.
• "proposition" - This implies a suggestion that something is true, but it may not have the same level of agreed support as a premise.
• "basis" - This refers to the underlying support for an idea, but it can be used more generally than "premise."

Each of these options has a slightly different nuance. For example, "foundation" is used more when talking about physical or conceptual structures, while "proposition" might be used in more informal contexts.

Deconstruction

The word "premise" comes from the Latin word "praemissa," which means "put before." It is made of two parts: "prae-" meaning "before" and "-missus," which comes from "mittere," meaning "to send." The meaning reflects the concept of something being put forward as a basis for further discussion or argument.

Historically, the term has been used in logic and law, emphasizing the importance of agreeing on certain facts or statements before delving into deeper arguments or decisions.

Inquiry

Think about situations in your life where you have had to make a decision based on a certain premise.

• What was the premise used in your reasoning?
• Can you recall a time when someone challenged your premise? How did that change the discussion or outcome?
• How might different premises lead people to arrive at very different conclusions in a debate or discussion?