presimise

Premise is a term with origins in logic and argumentation. In its most basic sense, a premise is a statement or proposition that forms the basis of an argument or conclusion. It is considered a foundational element upon which reasoning is built. Think of it as a starting point, an assumption, or a fact that is accepted as true for the purpose of a particular discussion or proof. Arguments typically consist of one or more premises that lead to a conclusion. The validity of the conclusion often depends on the truth or acceptance of the premises.

In logic, premises are crucial for deductive reasoning. If the premises of a deductive argument are true and the argument's structure is valid, then the conclusion must necessarily be true. For instance, a classic syllogism might have the premise "All men are mortal" and another premise "Socrates is a man." From these premises, the valid conclusion "Therefore, Socrates is mortal" is derived. The truth of the conclusion rests entirely on the truth of the initial premises.

The concept of premise is also used in everyday language, often referring to the underlying assumption or idea behind a plan, statement, or theory. When someone sets out to do something, they are often acting on a particular premise about how things work or what the desired outcome is. Understanding the premises of any given situation is key to comprehending the reasoning or actions that follow.