<p>A background assumption is something implied or assumed by what you say, but not explicitly stated.</p>
<p>For instance, if you say 'I feel happy'.  It is implied or assumed that you exist.  It is also implied or assumed that happiness exists.  It is implied and assumed that you have feelings.  It is implied that you have told the truth rather than a lie. A background assumption is that you and I both interpret happiness in a similar way.</p>
<p>Many things we say include background or implied assumptions.  Fortunately, most people make similar background assumptions which means that they don't need to be stated, which greatly aids in efficient communication.</p>
<p>Did you notice that I made the assumption that we all make similar background assumptions?</p>
<p>This question may be better directed to <a href="https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/">https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-05T18:50:46.680Z
Since the OP didn't give context there is no way of knowing for sure. What you refer to I have always known as implicit premises as part of argumentation, but I also thought of this when the OP referred to 'background assumptions'.
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-30T22:27:13.277Z
2020-06-30T22:56:30.230Z
2020-06-30T22:56:30.230Z
Tony Mobbs
<p>What is meant by <em>background assumption</em>?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-01T10:33:00.803Z
Good questions should contain some background - where did you read/heard  about this term? Why is it important to you? What was the context where you encountered it?
AliceD
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-03T17:18:10.367Z
Welcome to psych.SE.  If this is a terminology question, then it may be better suited for english.SE or philosophy.SE - for psych.SE, please explain how this question is related to psychology or neuroscience.  I am closing the question for now, but it can be reopened once edited.
Arnon Weinberg
<social-psychology><sociology>
What is a background assumption?
Viktor Be
# What is a background assumption?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-30)

What is meant by *background assumption*?

**Tags:** social-psychology, sociology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Good questions should contain some background - where did you read/heard  about this term? Why is it important to you? What was the context where you encountered it?  
> **username_2**: Welcome to psych.SE.  If this is a terminology question, then it may be better suited for english.SE or philosophy.SE - for psych.SE, please explain how this question is related to psychology or neuroscience.  I am closing the question for now, but it can be reopened once edited.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-06-30. Score: 2

A background assumption is something implied or assumed by what you say, but not explicitly stated.

For instance, if you say 'I feel happy'. It is implied or assumed that you exist. It is also implied or assumed that happiness exists. It is implied and assumed that you have feelings. It is implied that you have told the truth rather than a lie. A background assumption is that you and I both interpret happiness in a similar way.

Many things we say include background or implied assumptions. Fortunately, most people make similar background assumptions which means that they don't need to be stated, which greatly aids in efficient communication.

Did you notice that I made the assumption that we all make similar background assumptions?

This question may be better directed to <https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Since the OP didn't give context there is no way of knowing for sure. What you refer to I have always known as implicit premises as part of argumentation, but I also thought of this when the OP referred to 'background assumptions'.  

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