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Premising Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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premising

[ˈprɛmɪsɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

philosophical reasoning

Premising refers to the act of stating or asserting something as a basis for argument or reasoning. In philosophical discussions, to premise is to provide a foundational statement from which other conclusions can be drawn. It is often used in logical arguments where certain assumptions must be accepted in order to proceed with the reasoning. The act of premising can help clarify underlying assumptions that shape debates and discussions.

Synonyms

assuming, hypothesizing, postulating, presuming.

Examples of usage

  • The argument is premised on the assumption that climate change is real.
  • She premised her statement on recent scientific studies.
  • They are premising their solution on collaborative efforts.
  • His theory is premised on the idea of social equality.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In logic, premising is crucial for forming valid arguments, ensuring conclusions lead from correct assertions.
  • Philosophers like Aristotle emphasized the importance of premises in syllogisms, highlighting logical reasoning.
  • A common type of premise in philosophical discussions is a conditional statement, often framed as 'if... then...'.

Literature

  • Many stories start with a clear premise, setting up the plot and guiding character decisions.
  • Classic examples of literature such as 'Romeo and Juliet' present a premise about love and fate that drives the narrative.
  • In modern screenwriting, a strong premise can determine a film's success by capturing the audience's interest right away.

Science

  • Hypotheses in scientific research often serve as premises, guiding experiments and predictions.
  • The scientific method relies on establishing premises through observation and data before drawing conclusions.
  • In psychology, researchers carefully frame premises to explore human behavior, shaping the direction of their studies.

Pop Culture

  • Popular reality shows often label their plots as premises, establishing the main theme or challenge for participants.
  • In video games, the premise sets the stage for gameplay, helping players understand their goals and objectives.
  • Comic books frequently begin with a strong premise, introducing heroes and villains to engage readers from the first issue.

Origin of 'premising'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'praemissum', meaning 'sent ahead'.
  • In Middle English, the term evolved to describe something that is used as the foundation for a discussion.
  • It originally tied closely to legal usage, where a premise is a foundational assertion in arguments.

The word 'premising' originates from the Latin word 'praemittere', which means 'to send forth' or 'to put before'. It evolved through Old French 'premier', which translates to 'to place or position in advance'. The term gained traction in English during the late Middle Ages as scholars began to formalize logical arguments and philosophical discourse. In the context of logic and rhetoric, 'premising' became essential for clarifying arguments and establishing premises from which conclusions could be logically derived. Over centuries, its application broadened beyond philosophical discussions to include areas like legal reasoning and analytical writing, maintaining a crucial role in structured thinking.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,045, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.