Value & Descriptive

Assumptions
The Incredibles
 What?
Are beliefs, usually unstated, that are taken
Assumptions? for granted and supports explicit reasoning.

Value Theshould
“We implicit
notpreference for one value
legalize recreational drugs.
Such
overdrugs cause
another in atoo much street
particular violence and
context.
assumption? other crimes.”
Conclusion: This particular car will get you where you
want to go.
Descriptive Unstated beliefs about how the world
Assumption 1: From year to year, a particular model of
assumption? was,
car has aisconsis-tent
or will become.
quality. Common
descriptive
Assumption assumptions
2: The driving thatare debatable.
would be done with the
new car is the same kind of driving that was done by the
person recommending the car.
 Why?
- In all arguments, there will be certain
beliefs provided by the writer.
- Typically, these ideas will not be stated.
- You will have to find assumptions by
reading between the lines.

⇒ These beliefs are important invisible

links in the reasoning structure, the glue
that holds the entire argument together.
 How?
Value assumptions
● Be aware of typical conflicts
● Find out the communicators’ background &
value preferences
● Determine value priorities given in particular
consequences
● Use reverse role-play

Descriptive assumptions
● Think about the gap between
conclusion and reasons
● Look for unstated ideas