How much of your knowledge is based on assumptions?

Question

And is it possible to ever know the real answer to that?

Answer 1

Everything. And I'll tell you why. In order to "know" something (notice the root of knowledge), you must have been exposed to it in one way or another i.e. your senses. For example, to read a book, your eye sees something, and your brain tries to interpret what you see. Even when you talk to yourself, your ears don't hear anything, but your brain still interprets what you "hear." As a result, everything we learn, and consequently all of our knowledge, is based on our sense, and ultimately our brain working correctly. That is where the assumption lies. In order to function properly, and not go insane, we have to assume (at least to some degree) that what we experience is to some extent valid. Take for example the existence of ultraviolet light. As humans, our eyes cannot detect it, therefore we believe it isn't there. And that's because we assume that our eyes can detect anything there is to see--and more so, to do so correctly. Have you ever seen optical illusions where colors are infact, not the color they appear to be? If you grew up in a well, where the only part of the sky you can see is that which is directly above you, your knowledge of the sky is that it is only 2 feet in diameter. Again, this is because we inherently assume that all we can "see" is all that there is to see.

Answer 2

No it's not possible to know the real answer to that, i guess its because we change emotionally everyday.
Not much of my knowledge is based on assumptions. I think it's human nature to have most of their knowledge based on assumptions but I don't think that would apply to me.

Answer 3

As a scientist, if I base too much of my knowledge on assumption, I am quickly brought back to reality by my colleges. This is how science works; always some kind of winnowing peer review. Knowledge needs to be based on the evidence and the world needs to know that.

Answer 4

If you don't know the answer to a question and you want to help you will give you opinion about the problem or an assumption, (educated guess). This tends to be a natural reaction from most people, in the majority of casses an educated guess is very close to the actual answer, but for some casses where an exact reference is required, like a math problem, an assumption is useless.

Answer 5

Hopefully not too much of my knowledge is based on assumptions because I love to research and I try my best to learn the facts before I talk about anything and claim to know what I'm talking about. I suppose, philosophically speaking, that it might not be possible to know the real answer :)

Answer 6

My knowledge of some people is based 100% on assumptions and instincts. If you don't know the person and the little bit of information that you do have is inconclusive, everything is left up to the imagination.

Answer 7

None. Anything that a person claims to know based on assumptions in not really knowledge. It may be considered to be theory or just plain BS.

Answer 8

Knowledge is useless with out wisdom. The act of knowing and the act of doing are the litmus of life and teach us success or failure. Knowledge with out doing serves no benefit much like a unread book. Assumptions are knowledge untested, once engaged with action we know if they are true. Such is how we live in the world of wonder my friend.

Answer 9

100% of my knowledge is based on the assumption that the facts are real, and that I fully understood what was taught.

Answer 10

Dear Diesel weasel

aftter some though of your wounderful and deep question
it would appear to be as follows

All the knowledge is based upon assumptions.
how ever the motive that drives us to reach
these assumptions is very mutch reall .