Chapter 5 - TFY - Assumptions Summary

“TFY”: Chapter 5 – Assumptions Summary

This chapter talks about all the different types of assumptions that can and are made. There are conscious and unconscious assumptions, as well as, warranted and unwarranted assumptions. Unconscious and unwarranted assumptions are very similar. These types of assumptions are those based on the unknown.. For example, you make an assumption and the end result is conflict or error. I think a great example that was in the book, is the one about the Catholic university. They agreed to accept a donation from an anonymous source, made contract plans for new buildings, and the donation fell through. So they made the assumption that within a certain amount of time, they would have a lot of money. They spent this money before actually having it, so when the donation did not happen, they ended up in a bunch of debt. I think a lot of people can relate to this type of unconscious or unwarranted assumptions. I think all of us at one time or another has acted and assumed first and then the situation ended in disaster. Conscious or working assumptions are when you strategize or have a theory or have prior knowledge of a custom or agreement. I think we all can relate to this as well. Again, I will refer back to an example I liked in the book. If a friend invited you to their house for dinner, it is safe to assume that you will not have to pay for the meal. I feel that this type of assumption is based more on facts or knowledge. I did learn in this chapter that assuming something and stereotyping are very closely knit together and you have to be careful of that. You should not stereotype when you are making assumptions. Also, in the chapter, it was discussed about assumptions within arguments. When you are arguing a point, you are trying to persuade someone. I learned to always make sure my arguments can be supported by facts or reasoning and that if it is clear, you can see the assumptions made.