Recognizing Hidden Assumptions

As we have already seen in the previous chapter, many arguments contain hidden or implicit assumptions. Recognizing them is an important aspect of critical thinking. Here we deepen this topic and look at further methods for identifying hidden assumptions.

Types of hidden assumptions

Hidden assumptions can take various forms:

1. Value assumptions: Implicit judgments about what is good, bad, important, or desirable.

Example: "We should invest more in education in order to strengthen the economy." Hidden assumption: Economic growth is a primary goal that justifies investment in education.

2. Factual assumptions: Unstated claims about reality.

Example: "Since Maria is a woman, she will be a good nurse." Hidden assumption: Women have natural characteristics that make them good nurses.

3. Conceptual assumptions: Implicit definitions or understandings of terms.

Example: "Democracy is the best form of government because it guarantees freedom." Hidden assumption: Democracy is defined as a system that necessarily includes freedom.

4. Causal assumptions: Unstated claims about cause-and-effect relationships.

Example: "The crime rate has dropped since we got the new chief of police." Hidden assumption: The new chief of police is the cause of the drop in crime.

Methods for identifying hidden assumptions

In addition to the methods mentioned in the previous chapter (gap analysis, counterexample test, context analysis, conceptual analysis), there are further strategies for identifying hidden assumptions:

1. The "why" chain: Ask "Why?" repeatedly in order to uncover implicit assumptions.

Example:

• Statement: "We should eat meat."
• Why? "Because it provides protein."
• Why is protein important? "Because it is necessary for building muscle."
• Why is building muscle important? "Because physical strength is important."
• Hidden assumption: Physical strength is an important value.

2. Negation test: Negate the suspected assumption and check whether the argument still makes sense.

Example:

• Argument: "This medicine is natural, so it is safe."
• Suspected assumption: "Everything natural is safe."
• Negation: "Not everything natural is safe."
• If the negation is true (which it is – think of toxins such as arsenic or hydrogen cyanide), then the original argument is no longer convincing.

3. Change of perspective: Consider the argument from different cultural, historical, or ideological perspectives.

Example:

• Argument: "Everyone should have the right to own a weapon in order to defend themselves."
• From a different cultural perspective, the assumption that individual self-defense is more important than collective security may not be self-evident.

4. Analogy check: Construct an analogy to the argument and check whether it is similarly convincing.

Example:

• Argument: "Children should obey their parents because parents have more life experience."
• Analogy: "Citizens should obey the government because government officials have more experience in running the state."
• If the analogy seems problematic, this could point to hidden assumptions in the original argument.

Significance for critical thinking

Recognizing hidden assumptions is important for critical thinking for several reasons:

1. It enables a more complete evaluation of arguments by taking all relevant premises into account.

2. It helps to uncover problematic or unfounded assumptions that can undermine the strength of an argument.

3. It fosters a deeper understanding of one's own way of thinking and that of others.

4. It enables more precise criticism by identifying exactly which assumptions are problematic.

5. It protects against manipulation by arguments based on hidden but questionable assumptions.