Reasoning

STATEMENT AND ASSUMPTION

An assumption is something that can be supposed by the implied meanings of the given statement. Imply means "to suggest or express indirectly." Often people do not speak what is in their mind or what they think in totality, but we can infer or assume what must have in their mind from the statements made by them. For example when you say, "An honest Police Inspector has come to the city, and so crime will be checked", then the assumption you make is that if Police Inspector is honest, he could put a check on the crime. Thus, when we say something we do not express everything, every aspect of our ideas into words. We tend to leave many things or ideas unsaid, which may be defined .as an assumption. It is that part of an argument on the basis of which we say something. Now, we can say that an assumption is that part of an argument which is not expressed or said explicitly as it is assumed or understood intrinsically. Consider the following illustration : Ex. Statement : Robert is a good player of Indian hockey team. So, India should win the match. When we analyse these statements, we can express the same idea more elaborately as : . (i) Robert is a good player of Indian hockey team (ii) A good player is likely to help his team win the match. (iii) So, India may win the match. The statement (ii) is left unsaid deliberately while arguing because it is taken for granted. Hence, it is assumption. Thus, an assumption is the hidden part of an argument. In short, we can say that an assumption is something which is assumed, supposed or taken for granted. Assumption is one type of implication. If we ask a person, "Did you go from Delhi to Patna by air"?, we assume that Delhi and Patna are connected by air (route) it is the implied meaning of the statement. Therefore, an implication may be an assumption, i.e., on the basis of which we say something. Consider another example : Ex. Statement : Our country has stood like a solid rock in the face of common danger. From the statement it is implied that there have been dangers to our country this is also an assumption. Here it should be noted that implications can also be long drawn conclusions and such conclusions are not valid assumptions. Note that there is basic difference between the assumption and implication. An assumption is something on which the statement is based. On the other hand, an implication is something which is derived from and, therefore, based upon the statement.

EXAMPLES
Ex .1. Statement : Mankind can get freedom only through revolutions. Assumptions: I. Revolutions can bring freedom. II. Except revolution there is no other method of getting freedom. Explanation : It is clearly mentioned in the statement that there is only means to get freedom, i.e., revolution. Thus, the statement is based on the fact that revolution can bring freedom. Hence, assumption I is valid. Assumption II is only the meaning of the sentence and hence it is not valid. Ex.2. Statement : People behave differently in the presence of Boss. Assumptions: I. Behaviour can be observed. II. Behaviour cannot be observed. Explanation : Only assumption I is valid. If behaviour cannot be observed how one can say that people behave differently in the presence of Boss. For similar reason, the assumption II is not valid. Ex.3. Statement : Unless country 'X' achieves 'total literacy it cannot achieve its mission of development. Assumptions: , I. It is possible to achieve total literacy in country 'X'. II. No development is possible without a proper mission. Explanation : Assumption I is implicit in the statement. If it were not possible to achieve the total literacy, the statement would not have been made. The speaker assumes that it is possible to achieve total literacy in country X. Assumption II gives the notion that for development a proper mission is a requisite. Hence, it is invalid.
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ANALYTICAL DISCUSSION ON ASSUMPTIONS On the basis of examples cited above, one may conclude that the task of determining the validity of an assumption is not so perplexing^ However a cautious and right approach is required to accomplish the task properly. Sometimes a single word/phrase makes considerable difference while determining the various facets of assumptions, we are providing some important clues which will help you to recognise a valid assumption in different context. I. The presence of certain words in the assumption makes it valid or invalid by imparting a kind of exclusiveness to the sentence. There are some words that lend a greater degree of emphasis on the sentence than some others do, thereby altering the usual implication of the sentence.

Therefore, one should be careful when such words are employed in a statement. Words like only, beat, strongest, all, certainly etc. connote some kind of certainty and you must be able to understand their implications in a statement. Consider the following example: Ex. Statement : Films have become indispensable for the entertainment of people. Assumptions I. Film is the only medium of entertainment II. Film is the best medium of entertainment. III. Film is d e f i n i t e l y the good m e d i u m of entertainment. IV. Film is a good medium of entertainment. Explanation : I", II and III are invalid assumptions as they contain definitive words such as only, best and definitely. The statement suggests that "Films are very popular means of entertainment". But it does not mean that film is the only means of entertainment. Further it cannot be assumed that film is the best medium of entertainment. The statement may mean that film is the cheaper means of entertainment and it is easily accessible. Assumption IV seems to be valid. Note : General statement should not be based on definitive assumption. II. Sometimes either some positive aspect or some negative aspect of a fact/report/observation/study or even data is givenfollowed by a suggested course of action. When some negative aspect of a fact /report/data is mentioned, the following assumptions will be valid : (i) the fact/report/data needs improvement. (ii) the negative aspect of the fact/report/data is harmful or undesirable. (iii) the suggested course of action will improve that situation. (iv) The adoption of suggested course of action is advantageous. Consider the following example: Ex. Statement : Many species of animals on our earth are still not studied scientifically and if we do not do this work urgently many species will face extinction. Assumptions I. Extinction of animals is undesirable. II. It is desirable and possible to study scientifically many animal species. III. If we study the animal species scientifically, we can save them from extinction. Explanation : In the light of above mentioned facts all the assumptions are valid. III. Sometimes "cause-effect'' relationship is expressed in the statement. This relationship can be expressed in different ways in the statement either by using various coiyunctions or by compound sentence. Ex. Statement : The economic prosperity of any nation is dependent on the quality of its human resources. Valid Assumptions I. The quality,of human resources is instrumental for economic prosperity.

II. Bad quality of human resources hampers economic prosperity.

IV. ADVERTISEMENT/NOTICES/APPEALS
Advertisements are" usually given or issued by firms/ companies/institutions/industries/manulacturers or even by the Government bodies to attract people or tell their specific features or qualities. Official notices are issued within an office, giving some information to the concerned people. Appeals are given by the Government, voluntary organisations or some other agencies. It is a deeply felt, usually urgent request for help or sympathy. It may also be an indirect suggestion. Public interest notices are generally issued by the Government or other competent authorities. In all these cases, the following types of assumptions will be considered valid : (A) An advertisement/appeal/notice does have some effect. Ex. Statement : "Please finish your lunch by 1.30"- A notice in an office. Assumptions: I. People do not follow what is advised in a notice. II. People can read and understand notice. Explanation : We know that a notice will have some effect on the people concerned. Therefore, some people will follow what has been advised in the notice. Therefore, assumption I is not valid. A notice is displayed assuming that people can read and understand it. Therefore, assumption II is valid. (B) Jn case of an advertise-ment, the point which is highlighted or specifically mentioned is looked for and expected by people. Ex. Statement : Double your money in five months- An advertisement. Assumptions: I. The assurance is not genuine. II. People want their money to grow. Explanation : If people do not want their money to grow, such advertisement would not have been issued. The advertisement was made to capitalise this inherent urge of people. Therefore assumption II is implicit. Considering the market condition and prevalent rate of interest, it is not feasible to double the money in five months. Therefore, the assurance claimed in advertise-ment seems to be ingenuine. But, we have to consider the given statement to be true, so assumption I is not implicit. (C) It is duty of competent authority to issue from time to time necessary public interest notice whenever or wherever is required. Ex. Statement : "Please do not lean out of the running train"- a notice in the railway compartment. Valid Assumption : It is the duty of Railways to issue such notices. (D) In case of public interest notice, what is being advised must be beneficial for people and its non-practice harmful in some way. Ex. Statement : "Please do not lean out of the running train" a notice in the railway compartment.

Valid Assumptions : I. Leaning out of the running train is dangerous. II. Not leaning out of the running train ensures safety. (E) In case of an appeal, the reason for issuing it exists. Ex. Statement : "Donate genero-usly for the cyclone affected people"An appeal. Valid Assumption : Cyclone has affected many people and their condition is miserable. (Therefore, the affected people need help.) (F) In case of an official notice, the effect of its implementation will be beneficial for the organisation. Ex. Statement : We should inform ail our officers not to read newspaper during office hours Chief Manager tells Chief Administrator. Assumptions: I. Reading newspaper during office is desirable. II. Office efficiency will not increase by stopping this. Explanation : Neither assump-tion I nor assumption II is implicit. If reading newspaper during office hour was desirable then there, would not have such proposal. And if office efficiency will not increase by'stopping this then what was the need for such proposal. (That, means office efficiency will increase by stopping this). INVALID A S S U M P T I O N S After the detailed discussion on valid assumptions it is necessary to have some idea about invalid assumptions. I. Some assumptions can be outrightly rejected at a glance which are cither just contrary to the given statement or they seem to have simply no relation or connection with the given statement. In other words, unwarranted assumptions cannot be valid. Ex.1. Statement : As poor people in India prefer and use jaggery (gur) rather than sugar, the Government has decided to decontrol and scrap sugar distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Invalid Assumption : Public Distribution System has lost its utility. Ex.2. Statement: "Please note that the company will provide accommodation to only outside candfdates if selected' A condition in an advertisement. Invalid Assumption : The company plans to select only local candidates. II. In some cases, it is somewhat difficult to determine the validity of an assumption or to declare it invalid. Some typical invalid assumptions have been discussed below: (A) An assumption wUl be invalid if it is a mere re statement, le expressing the same idea in a different way. Ex. Statement: The company has decided to increase the, price of all its product to tackle the precarious financial position. Invalid Assumption : In order to tackle the precarious financial position the company wants to increase the prices of all its product. (B) The obverted form of the statement is an invalid assumption. Ohversion is an immediate deductive inference in which there is a change in the quality of the given

proposition, le., weobtaina negative equivalent proposition from a given affirmative proposition and an equiualent affirmative proposition from a given negative proposition. The given proposition is called overtend and the inferred proposition is called the obverse* In the obversion, two terms out of tnreo (Subject, Verb and Predicate) are changed into negative. The obverse means the same thing as the overtend. Therefore, obverse is a stated meaning and not an implied meaning nor an assumption. Ex. Statement : Friendship is beneficial. Invalid Assumptions I. Enmity is harmful. II. Friendship is not harmful. HI. Enmity is not beneficial NOTE : The underlined terms in each sentence have been changed into negative. {C} The given assumption will he invalid if it is only the convertedform of the given statement. Ex. Statement : Some historians harm the society by distorting facts. ' Invalid Assumption : Some of those who distort facts and harm the society are historians. (D) The given assumption will be invalid if it is an inference, i.e.. which can be derived from tlie statement. Ex. Statement : Political freedom is incomplete and has . little meaning without economic independence. Invalid Assumption : Economic freedom is an essential virtue for any country. Directions (1-5): In each question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered / and II. An assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only assumption I is implicit. Give answer (2) if only assumption II is implicit. Give answer (3) if neither I nor II is implicit. Give answer (4) if both I and II are implicit. Ex. 1. Statement : The district authority has decided to set up wireless communication along the coastline in view of the cyclonic storm hitting the coast. Assumptions: I. The telephone communications may be paralyzed due to the cyclonic storm. II". The wirless communication systems may be able to withstand the fury of the cyclonic storm. E x . 2 . Statement : The govefn-ment of India has appointed a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate into the recent stock market crash. Assumptions : I. The members of the committee may possess requisite expertise to cany out the investigation. ' II. The people responsible for the crash may destroy all their documents before the committee lay their hands on them. ^ Ex .3. Statement : The management of the passenger car manufacturing company has decided to reduce its workforce in view of the sluggish demand in the market.

Assumptions: I. The demand of cars manufactured by the company may continue to be lower in the near future. II. The company may be able to run its operation with the reduced work force. Ex.4. Statement : t w i n ' s mother instructed him to return home by train if it rains heavily. Assumptions: I. Aswin may not be able to decide himself if it rains heavily. II. The trains may ply even if it rains heavily. Ex.5. Statement : The Government of India has decided to start a track II dialogue with its neighbour to reduce tension in the area. Assumptions : I. The neighbouring country may agree to participate in the track II dialogue. II. The people involved in track II dialogue may be able to persuade their respective Governments. Ex. 6. In this question a Statement is given followed by two Assumptionsr I and II. You have to consider the statement to be true, even if it seems to be at variance from commonly known facts. You are to decide which of the given assumptions can definitely be drawn from the given statement(s). Indicate your answer from (1}, (2), (3) or (4). Statement : Population is the greatest pollutant. Assumptions: I. Increased population is the greatest resource. II. Illiterate mass leads to dirt and degradation.

(1) Only I is implicit (2) Only II is implicit (3) Both I and II are implicit (4) Neither I nor II is implicit

EXPLANATIONS
1.(4) Both the assumptions are implicit in the statement. It is mentioned in the statement that wireless communication systems are to be set up along the coastline in view of the cyclonic storm hitting the coast. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that telephone communication may be paralyzed due to the cyclonic storm. For similar reason, assumption II is also implicit in the statement. 2.(1) Only assumption I is implicit in the statement. The Joint Parliamentary Committee has been formed assuming that its members may carry out investigation properly. Assumption II is not implicit in the statement because in that case there is no need to appoint a Joint Parliamen-tary Committee. 3.(4) Both the assumptions are implicit in the statement. If the reduced demand of car was a temporary phenome-non then the management has not taken the decision to reduce its workforce. Again, it can be safely assumed that the company is able to run its operation with reduced workforce. 4. (2) Only assumption II is implicit in the statement. If Aswin's mother asked his son to return home by train if it rains heavily, it implies that the trains would ply even if it rains heavily. 5. (4) Both the assumptions are implicit in the statement. 6. (4) Neither I nor II is implicit