Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking:
Distinguishing Between Inferences and Assumptions

In order to critically think, one must distinguish between Inferences and assumptions. Though both words appear to be quite similar, these two words allow the reader to formulate an opinion of their own. The awareness of our inferences based on our assumptions would help one to become open-minded.
This article talks about two of the elements of reasoning: inference and assumptions and discusses further how these two are interrelated in critical thinking. Inferences are a step of the mind, an intellectual act, by which one concludes that something is true in light of something else’s being true, or seeming to be true. Assumptions, on the other, are something we take for granted or presuppose. They are usually something we previously learned and do not question. (Browne 1)
Assumptions and inferences permeate our lives precisely because we cannot act without them. We make judgment, form interpret...