30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking: A Guide for Improving Every Aspect of Your Life, Revised and Expanded

Day Twelve. Distinguish Inferences from Assumptions

People often confuse inferences with assumptions. But it is important to clearly distinguish between these two elements or parts of reasoning. An inference is a step of the mind, in which the mind says, “This is true; therefore, that is true.” The conclusion, or inference, that something is true is based on something else being true, or appearing true. People routinely make inferences throughout the day. And these inferences can be justified or unjustified. All inferences are based on assumptions—that is, beliefs we take for granted. Justifiable assumptions lead to reasonable inferences. Assumptions usually operate at the unconscious level. When we uncover our assumptions, we often find the ...