Assumptions

Chapter 5
Summary: Chapter 5 explained assumptions. We make assumptions daily as a bridge to draw conclusions in life, to help us make the best decisions we can. Some assumptions are conscious and do certain things based on what we assume is the best choice. They help us in taking risks or stragegize outcomes. However, many assumptions are unconscious on we do not even realize that we are drawing conclusions about a situation as we are doing it. An unconscious assumption is not even recognized until we discover that our way of thinking was not reality. All the while, whether assumptions are concious or unconscious, they are a part of survival, in helping us determine right from wrong, to the best of our ability. There are also warranted and unwarranted assumptions. A warranted assumption would be following protocol, such as standards, codes, customs and agreements; an unwarranted assumption would be opposing this. Most of our assumptions come from our own values, beliefs we were raised on from our culture. These are not true for everyone, being that every culture has its own views on life. Many are hidden, however, in propaganda and argument. A debator or a commercial can use assumptions to persuade us to believe its true. Assumptions are not always the truth, they are simply bridges we use to draw conclusions.
Reflection: Up until reading this chapter, I never realized how often we make assumptions about things. I pretty much used to term so freely that I thought I had control over my use of it. Its true that many of our assumptions, what I had considered natural instincts, are based on our own values, what we were taught was "right". Going forward, I will now be more aware of my own assumptions when I am drawing conclusions about things... from believing fact from fiction, to deciding what color eye shaddow looks good with my outfit!