premise
PREM-iss
/ˈprɛm.ɪs/
A foundational statement or proposition from which a conclusion is drawn.
In formal logic, a premise must be accepted provisionally to evaluate whether the argument structure holds, regardless of empirical fact.
The story behind the word. In medieval Latin documents, the 'praemissa' were the property details stated at the beginning of a deed. Because these details established the starting conditions of the contract, medieval philosophers borrowed the term to mean the initial statements set forth to launch an argument.
Word relationships
- proposition: A proposition is any statement that can be true or false, whereas a premise is specifically used as evidence for a conclusion.
- assumption: An assumption is often unstated or unproven, while a premise is explicitly stated in an argument.
- conclusion: A conclusion is the claim derived from premises, rather than the starting point.
Commonly confused with
- premises: 'Premises' (plural) frequently refers to a physical property or location, while 'premise' refers to an argument's starting statement.
Word family
- premised (verb): Based on a particular proposition or assumption.
Collocations
- false premise
- underlying premise
- accept a premise
- major premise
Idioms & expressions
- built on a flawed premise
Example sentences
- "If you accept the central premise that all human life has intrinsic value, the policy changes become inevitable." Philosophical argument
- "The whole argument rests upon a false premise regarding human motivation." Classical Literature
Memory hook
Think of PRE-mise as the statements you place PRE-viously (before) your conclusion. The starting point before the point.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'premises' (plural noun referring to a building or land). Avoid using 'premise' to describe a vague guess or mere emotional reaction.
Fun facts
- In legal property deeds, 'the premises' referred to 'the things mentioned before,' which eventually shifted to mean the physical house described in those documents.
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