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Presupposition vs Postulate - What's the difference?

presupposition | postulate | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between presupposition and postulate

is that presupposition is an assumption made beforehand; a preliminary conjecture or speculation while postulate is something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument.

As a verb postulate is

to assume as a truthful or accurate premise or axiom, especially as a basis of an argument.

As an adjective postulate is

postulated.

presupposition

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An assumption made beforehand; a preliminary conjecture or speculation.
  • * 2010 , Guy Deutscher, Through the Language Glass , Arrow 2011, p. 40:
  • He made one cardinal error in his presuppositions about the relation between language and perception, but in this he was far from alone.
  • The act of presupposing.
  • Synonyms

    * (assumption) assumption, conjecture

    postulate

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something assumed without proof as being self-evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument.
  • A fundamental element; a basic principle.
  • (logic) An axiom.
  • A requirement; a prerequisite.
  • Verb

    (postulat)
  • To assume as a truthful or accurate premise or axiom, especially as a basis of an argument.
  • * 1883 , , Prop. XXII,
  • But this pleasure or pain is postulated to come to us accompanied by the idea of an external cause;
  • * 1911 , Encyclopædia Britannica , "",
  • [T]he attempt to arrive at a physical explanation of existence led the Ionian thinkers to postulate various primal elements or simply the infinite ?? ???????.
  • (ambitransitive, Christianity, historical) To appoint or request one's appointment to an ecclesiastical office.
  • * 1874 , John Small (ed.), The Poetical Works of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld , Vol 1, p. xvi
  • [A]lthough Douglas was postulated to it [the Abbacy of Arbroath], and signed letters and papers under this designation his nomination was never completed.
  • (ambitransitive, obsolete) To request, demand or claim for oneself.
  • Adjective

    (-)
  • Postulated.
  • (Hudibras)
    English heteronyms ----