Definition

1. Noun:
   • The cognitive process of supposing: The mental act of forming or entertaining a proposition without full commitment to its truth.
   • A hypothesis that is taken for granted: A proposition or idea accepted as a basis for reasoning or action, often without conclusive proof.

Usage

• As a mental process: "Supposal" refers to the act of considering something as possible or true for the sake of argument or planning.
• As a foundational idea: "Supposal" can denote a premise or starting point that is assumed to be true within a specific context, such as in logic, planning, or social theory.

Examples

• Cognitive Process:

  • His decision was based on the simple supposal that the weather would remain clear.
  • Philosophical inquiry often begins with a supposal about the nature of reality.

• Hypothesis or Assumption:

  • The economic model is built on the supposal of rational consumer behavior.
  • The entire argument collapses if its initial supposal is proven false.

Advanced Usage

• "For the sake of supposal": Used to introduce a hypothetical scenario for discussion.

  • For the sake of supposal, let's imagine that time travel were possible. What then?

• "Act of supposal": Emphasizes the cognitive action itself.

  • The act of supposal is fundamental to creative thinking and problem-solving.

Variants and Related Words

• Suppose (verb): To assume something to be true, especially for the sake of argument or as a hypothesis.
  • I suppose you are right.
• Supposition (noun): Often used interchangeably with "supposal," though "supposition" is more common in general usage.
  • This is mere supposition, not fact.
• Suppositional (adjective): Of the nature of or based on supposition.
  • The theory remains suppositional without concrete evidence.

Synonyms

• Assumption: Something accepted as true without proof.
• Presumption: A belief based on reasonable evidence or probability.
• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
• Premise: A previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.

Related Phrases

• Working supposal: An assumption adopted provisionally to guide an investigation or project.
  • Our working supposal is that the client will approve the initial design.

Notes on Meaning

• Cognitive vs. Propositional: The word "supposal" uniquely captures both the mental act (the process of supposing) and the product of that act (the thing supposed). It bridges the gap between a subjective thought and an objective premise used in reasoning.

Noun

1. the cognitive process of supposing
2. a hypothesis that is taken for granted
   • any society is built upon certain assumptions