EP6 - Unquestioned assumptions

What do we automatically hold true, and how to deal with unquestioned truths. Here’s a simple way you can identify them. #stoic #stoicleadershio #stoicism

Dear Diary

Today I was confronted with an interesting question. What assumptions have I left unquestioned?

This sentence needs some deep thought.

After being posed the question, I wondered what falls in that category, if anything.

Assumptions? Unquestioned?

Unquestioned assumptions destroy our efficiency and clarity.

What do we assume to be correct?

What my parents told me?

The happiness of a wife, 2.3 kids, dog and cat?

That we need to plan for the long term?

That all publicity is good publicity?

That there must be winners and losers?

Says who? Why?

Where’s the proof?

One way to examine assumptions is to propose the opposite.

Is the opposite proposition equally true?

Can someone without the wife and 2.3 kids live a virtuous, happy and fulfilled life? If yes, then surely it must follow that a wife and 2.3 kids is not a pre-requisite to a virtuous, happy fulfilled life. Where does that leave the assumption?

Whoa Diary, that’s an interesting way to look at it.

In business, is it true that we need to plan 10 years out? Is it true we should pay people as little as possible?

Has any company ever succeeded doing to opposite to what we’ve unquestionably believed?

If yes, then the unquestioned assumption can't be correct.

At the same time, the assumption could be right. Well, kind of.

If you examine the facts deeply and the assumption holds true (the sun rises in the East), then the assumption becomes a fact.

For example, if we assume you need to earn more money than you spend, and logic shows it to be so, then the assumption disappears, it becomes a fact.

Dear Diary, an assumption proven to be correct becomes a fact and ceases to be an assumption. A factual assumption is an oxymoron.

The difference between fact and assumption (in this context) is that the fact is tested and proven, the assumption is just accepted.

Don’t be distracted with the trifling fluff of assumptions. Look at things directly, look them squarely in the eye and determine if they are assumptions, or fact. If it seems to be an assumption, prove it, otherwise dismiss it and unclutter your mind.

Question everything and don’t lose perspective.

Is it good or bad for a racetrack to be water-sodden the night before a big race? It depends. Does the horse love the mud, or a firm track? Most (but not all) prefer a solid track, but that doesn’t make it right. A wet track can’t be assumed to be bad.

Let me be more dramatic dear Diary. Is it good or bad to have a heart attack? It depends. Over the long term it may bring the family closer together and convince your overweight kids to get healthy and live longer, more prosperous life.

Yes, I am talking about finding a silver lining. But not about creating one, it’s there. There is sunshine behind every cloud.

Our assumptions are either incorrect in fact or perspective.

Banish your assumptions dear Diary.

Original Blog article here