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7 Examples of Assertions

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An assertion is an assumption that something is true. This is a basis for logic, thought processes and systems. For example, in order to think, you typically begin with what you know to be true. The following are illustrative examples of assertions.

Fact

Assertion is most often used as a more accurate term for fact. It is very difficult to say that anything is a fact. For example, science uses terms such as theory and almost surely to describe facts because everything is always disputable. As such, assertion is the preferred term for known information in domains such as logic and math.
Assertion: The Earth is a sphere, or more precisely an oblate spheroid.

Premise

A premise is an assertion that is used in a logical argument to support a conclusion.
Premise: A reliable IT vendor delivers projects on budget.
Premise: Company A rarely delivers projects on budget.
Conclusion: Company A isn't a reliable IT vendor.

Preconditions

A precondition is something that you need to be true to start. These are often defined as assertions at the beginning of a process. For example, in order to get on a flight a passenger's name must match on the ticket and the passport.
Assertion: Ticket name and passport name are the same.

Postcondition

A postcondition is something that you need to be true to end a process. For example, an IT system that needs to be functional before the vendor can say its finished. This can be measured by testing the system against use cases.
Assertion: The system satisfies all use cases.

Probabilities

Assertions need not be true or false but can indicate probabilities and degrees of truth.
Assertion: Most Japanese people aren't very interested in Sumo.

Logical Arguments

Logical arguments are based on assertions whereby you suggest that one thing is true and that this means something else is true. At its simplest this can take the form "conclusion because assertion."
Argument: The end of June isn't the best time to visit Tokyo because this is usually the middle of the rainy season.

Assertion: the end of June is rainy season in Tokyo
Assertion: rainy seasons aren't a good time to visit

First Principles

A first principle is a foundational assertion that you hold as true. These serve as guidelines that have broad implications for a domain, profession or activity.
First Principle: First, do no harm
The first principle above is an assertion from the original Hippocratic oath historically taken by physicians.

Assertions in Code

Assertions can be coded into some program languages such as Java. These are typically used as preconditions and postconditions for a method that can be turned off or on for a runtime environment. Assertions are typically turned on for unit testing to detect defects and are turned off in production to improve reliability and performance. Business logic should never be implemented as an assertion.

Summary

Assertions are statements that you know to be true or hold to be true for some purpose.
Overview: Assertions
Type
Definition
An assumption that something is true.
Related Concepts
Next: Logical Argument
More about logic:
Abductive Reasoning
Abstract Thinking
Abstraction
Aesthetics
Analogy
Analysis Paralysis
Analytical Thinking
Anomie
Argument
Argument From Silence
Arrow Of Time
Assertions
Automaticity
Backward Induction
Base Rate Fallacy
Benefit Of Doubt
Big Picture
Brainstorming
Call To Action
Catch 22
Causality
Choice Architecture
Circular Reasoning
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Cognitive Abilities
Cognitive Biases
Cold Logic
Collective Intelligence
Complexity Bias
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Consciousness
Constructive Criticism
Convergent Thinking
Counterfactual Thinking
Creative Tension
Creeping Normality
Critical Thinking
Culture
Curse Of Knowledge
Decision Fatigue
Decision Framing
Decision Making
Defensive Pessimism
Design Thinking
Divergent Thinking
Educated Guess
Emotional Intelligence
Epic Meaning
Essential Complexity
Excluded Middle
Failure Of Imagination
Fallacies
Fallacy Fallacy
False Analogy
False Balance
False Dichotomy
False Equivalence
First Principles
Formal Logic
Four Causes
Fuzzy Logic
Gambler's Fallacy
Generalization
Golden Hammer
Good Judgement
Grey Area
Groupthink
Heuristics
Hindsight Bias
Hope
Idealism
Ideas
If-By-Whiskey
Illogical Success
Imagination
Independent Thinking
Inductive Reasoning
Inference
Influencing
Informal Logic
Information
Information Cascade
Introspection
Intuition
Inventive Step
Learning
Lifestyle
Logic
Logical Argument
Logical Thinking
Ludic Fallacy
Magical Thinking
Meaning
Mental Experiences
Mental State
Mindset
Misuse of Statistics
Motivated Reasoning
Natural Language
Nirvana Fallacy
Norms
Not Even Wrong
Objective Reason
Objectivity
Opinion
Overthinking
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Proof By Example
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Prosecutor's Fallacy
Radical Chic
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Reification
Relativism
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Logic

A few logic terms explained.

False Balance

The definition of false balance with examples.

Grey Area

Common examples of grey areas.

Automaticity

The definition of automaticity with examples.

Fact

A list of approaches for establishing facts.

Intrapersonal vs Interpersonal

The difference between intrapersonal and interpersonal explained.

Paradox

The definition of paradox with examples.

Logical Argument

An overview of logical arguments with examples.

Falsifiability

The definition of falsifiability with examples.

Thought Processes

A list of thinking approaches and types.

Nostalgia

An overview of nostalgia with examples.

Intrapersonal

The definition of intrapersonal with examples.

Introspection

The definition of introspection with examples.

Skepticism

The definition of skepticism with examples.

Abstract Thinking

The definition of abstract thinking with examples.

Rational Choice Theory

The definition of rational choice theory with examples.

Positive Thinking

The principles of positive thinking.

List Of Emotions

A list of common emotions.
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