当一个论证包含了隐含的前提，在进行你的评估前识别出它们。当论证被构想并表达出来的时候，很显然隐藏的前提就是没有识别出来的隐含的观点。如果隐含的观点是准确的，就没有什么坏处；如果是不精确的，它就悄悄地破坏了论证。下面有一些这样的案例。每个案例的第一句都可能在非正式的讨论中出现。然后被分解成包括隐含前提的各个部分。批判性思考者应该提出的问题显示在它们的相对面。（注：因为排版问题，这里是在下面）
论证： 他们不应该结婚——在恋爱的期间他们没有体会到强烈的身体上的吸引。
论证的过程
显露的前提：他们互相之间没有身体上的吸引。
隐含的前提：对于结果，强烈的身体吸引是最好的，或许是唯一的有意义的基础。
结论：他们不应该结婚。
问题：他们之间没有体会到强烈的身体吸引吗？
是否强烈的身体吸引是最好的或唯一的有意义的婚姻基础。
这个前提是否可以得出这个结论而不是其他结论？论证：为什么莫顿是个后进生的原因很明显——他的自尊心不强。
论证过程：
显露的前提：莫顿的自尊心不强。
隐含的前提：自尊心是进步的必要条件。
结论：莫顿在学校是后进生的原因很清楚。（这个陈述的意思是“这解释了为什么……”）
问题：莫顿不够自尊吗？
自尊是进步的必要条件吗？
这个隐含的前提能得出这其他结论，而不是其他结论吗？论证：这本书应该被禁止，因为有暴力情节秀给孩子。
论证过程：
显露的前提：这本书秀给孩子暴力。
第一个隐含的前提：展示暴力有害。第二个隐含的前提：对于这些材料，禁止是最好的办法。
结论：这本书应该被禁。问题：这本书秀给孩子们暴力了吗？
显示暴力是不是一直有害？（注意限定词的缺乏，比如“有时候“”，“一直”这个单词是隐含意思）。
禁止这些材料是不是最恰当的对策？
这些前提能否得到这个结论，而不是其他结论？
4.论证：喝纯净水有利健康，原始山地水是纯净水，喝纯净水而不是自来水是我正确对待身体的方式。
论证过程：
显露的前提：喝纯净水有利于健康。
显露的前提：原始山地水是纯净水。
隐藏的前提：自来水不是纯净水。
结论：喝纯原始山地水而不是自来水是我正确对待身体的方式。
问题：喝纯净水有利于健康吗？
原始山地水是纯净水吗？
自来水不是纯净水吗？
这些前提能否得到这个结论，而不是其他结论？
很容易想到，段落越长，包括隐藏前提的可能性就越低，但是事情不是这样的。有可能有意在论证中设置一个或多个隐藏前提，以长篇大论作为结束，而这些结论没有被发现或者表达出来。事实上，段落越长，越难识别出隐藏的前提。不管你评价（或撰写）的段落有多长，要警惕隐藏的前提。
原文：
When an argument contains hidden premises, identify them before proceeding with your evaluation. Hidden premises are clearly implied ideas that are not recognized when the argument is conceived and expressed. When the hidden premise is accurate, no harm is done; but when it is inaccurate, it quietly corrupts the argument. Following are some examples of such arguments. Each is presented first as it might occur in informal discussion. Then it is broken down into its component parts, including hidden premises. The questions that critical thinking would address are shown opposite each part.
- Argument: They should never have married—they felt no strong
physical attraction to each other during courtship.
The Component Parts
Stated Premise: They felt no strong physical attraction to each other.
Hidden Premise: Strong physical attraction is the best, or perhaps the only, meaningful basis for marriage.
Conclusion: They should never have married.
The Questions
Did they feel no strong physical attraction to each other?
Is strong physical attraction the best or only meaningful basis for marriage?
Do the premises lead to this conclusion and no other?
- Argument: It’s clear why Morton is an underachiever in school—he
has very little self-esteem.
The Component Parts
Stated Premise: Morton has very little self-esteem.
Hidden Premise: Self-esteem is necessary in order to achieve.
Conclusion: It’s clear why Morton is an underachiever in school. (The sense of this statement is “This explains why. . . .”)
The Questions
Does Morton have very little self-esteem?
Is self-esteem necessary in order to achieve?
Do the premises lead to this conclusion and no other?
- Argument: That book should be banned because it exposes children
to violence.
The Component Parts
Stated Premise: That book exposes children to violence.
First Hidden Premise: Exposure to violence is harmful.
Second Hidden Premise: Banning is the most appropriate reaction to such material.
Conclusion: That book should be banned.
The Questions
Does the book expose children to violence?
Is exposure to violence always harmful? (Note that in the absence of limiting terms, such as sometimes, the general term always is implied.)
Is banning the most appropriate reaction to such material?
Do the premises lead to this conclusion and no other?
- Argument: Pure water is healthy to drink, and Pristine Mountain Water is pure, so I’m treating my body right by drinking it rather than tap water.
The Component Parts
Stated Premise: Pure water is healthy to drink.
Stated Premise: Pristine Mountain Water is pure.
Hidden Premise: The water from my tap is not pure.
Conclusion: I’m treating my body right by drinking Pristine Mountain Water rather than tap water.
The Questions
Is pure water healthy to drink?
Is Pristine Mountain Water pure?
Is water from this person’s tap not pure?
Do the premises lead to this conclusion and no other?
It is tempting to think that the longer the passage, the less likely it will contain hidden premises, but this is not the case. It is possible to elaborate on an argument with one or more hidden premises and end up with a book-length treatment without those premises being detected or expressed. In fact, the longer the passage, the more difficult it is to identify hidden premises. Whatever the length of the passage you are evaluating (or composing), be alert for hidden premises.
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