An assumption is to assume something without proof. To assume something is the act of taking it for granted or supposing it without the support of reasonable or probable evidence. An assumption comes close to an opinion: “a view or judgment formed about something, but not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.” Everyone has their own opinion and everyone has their own assumptions—but the point, I’m trying to make is that neither my assumption, or yours, or Mr. Trump’s, is necessarily based on any reasonable or probable evidence. Isaac Asimov says, “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”
It is imperative that we “scrub off” our assumptions—and the assumptions of others—if we are to find the “light” of truth (fact) and if our democracy is to survive.
A presumption is to presume something based on reasonable grounds or probable evidence. It is not simply an “opinion.” It is not simply an assumption. There is an international legal principle called the “presumption of innocence” which implies that one is considered innocent unless proven guilty. A person is not guilty because you assume him guilty. It is the responsibility of the accuser who “assumes” another’s guilt to provide “the burden of proof” or present facts to prove the assumption.
The two words are doing battle with each other at the moment and many are having difficulty differentiating the two. Assumptions are being bandied about without any substance—and these assumptions are being parroted by others. Assumptions may take the place of presumptions! This is a serious and dangerous place. We need to get our words straight and we need to know the difference these two words convey.
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