What are the Descriptive Assumptions?

Question 1

Descriptive Assumptions

Answer 1

Beliefs about the way the world is, was, or will become

Question 2

Prescriptive/Value Assumptions

Answer 2

Beliefs about how the world should be

Question 3

Descriptive Connecting Assumption

Answer 3

Assumption which is a statement about the way things are, not the way things should be

Question 4

Definitional Assumption

Answer 4

Taking for granted of one meaning for a term that has multiple possible meanings

Question 5

To Find Out the Gap Between the Conclusion and Reasons

Answer 5

How do you get from the reason to the conclusion?
If the reason is true, what else must be true for the conclusion to follow?
Supposing the reasons were true, is there any way in which the conclusion nevertheless could be false?

Question 6

To Look for Ideas That Support Reasons

Answer 6

Identify with the writer
Identify with the opposition
Recognize the Potential Existence of Other Means of Attaining the Advantages Referred to in the Reasons
Avoid Stating Incompletely Established Reasons as Assumptions

Question 7

Clues for Discovering Descriptive Assumptions

Answer 7

1. Keep thinking about the gap between the conclusion and reasons.
2. Look for ideas that support reasons.
3. Identify with the opposition.
4. Recognize the potential existence of others means of attaining the advantages referred to in the reasons
5. Learn more about the issues