Pretpostavka

Pretpostavka is a noun used in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian to denote an assumption, premise, or prerequisite that underpins reasoning, argument, or a model. In logic and philosophy, a pretpostavka is a statement accepted as true within a particular argument or theory, used to derive conclusions. In mathematics and statistics, pretpostavke refer to the conditions or assumptions of a model that justify applying a method or interpreting results. In linguistics and semantics, pretpostavke are background assumptions or presuppositions that shape how statements are interpreted. In everyday language, people use pretpostavke to describe conditions thought to be true before further discussion or action.

Etymology: the term is formed from pre- meaning before and postavka meaning setting or placement, reflecting a notion of something taken as granted before proceeding. It is cognate across South Slavic languages and commonly contrasted with other related terms such as hipoteza (hypothesis) or pretpostavka (assumption seen as a basis rather than a mere guess).

Usage and nuance: pretpostavka tends to denote a foundational or working assumption rather than a tested or speculative claim. In scientific and formal contexts, it often appears as part of model specifications or argumentative structure. In rhetoric or everyday language, it can refer more broadly to prerequisites that must be acknowledged.

See also: premise, hypothesis, assumption, presupposition, model assumptions. Examples: Pretpostavka ovog eksperimenta je da su svi podaci tačni. Pretpostavke modela uključuju da su varijable nezavisne.