Let’s Suppose

I don't think that it would be possible to go through life if we never made any kind of assumptions in our lives. So, of course I have to say that I make a lot of assumptions in my life. That said, I do think that there are also times in our lives where we really shouldn't be making assumptions because there are times that our assumptions are totally wrong. Those are the times that we really end up making a fool of ourselves.

usually when a physicist says ''let's suppose'' he limits a given situation to certain parameters. Problem is, as soon as we start to limit things we don't get the whole thing :-) Actually ''let's suppose'' translates into ''first adapt conditions to my imagination and then see if those conditions fit my theory'', so it's a quite egoistic thing if we say that. In fact all technology is based on such assumptions and suppositions. That's why technology is so far away from nature because nature is chaotic (not in the negative sense) and to try to calculate or predict nature is certainly not so easy as it is the case with the artificial systems we have created. Example: weather. Yes, they try to predict what it's going to be like but best bets range up to a week or so at the most. And that's why some scientists try to imagine ways to control the weather as they want to be able to predict it the same way as they predict their artificial systems. So I don't know if science is really the key to the understanding of the world and especially life as it will always limit reality to parameters, coming closer and closer to what reality is but never actually represent reality or life. Don't get me wrong here, science can be very helpful but as described above it may also lead us into the wrong directions if we try to adapt nature to our imagination to make it more predictable. Yes, I often say ''let's suppose'' in many situations but usually only if that has something to do with technology or personal interests. If it comes to nature I tend to say ''let's adapt... listen and watch ... and learn from that'' and always respect and care for the teacher of course ;-) Cheers

My major is English Rhetoric and Composition and Literature, and I always love to say, "Let's imagine that this author is saying..." and then I go on to state what I think the author might be saying and I tell the other students to chime in. We assume things because we, as human beings always want the truth and we always want to fill in the blanks. If we don't know something, then we will find out what it is that we are missing.

Wow, i admire you.. Physics subject is pretty hard, i used to have a hard time back in high school when we were taught on projectile motions..lol i simply can't register it in my mind..plus all those formulas on areas blahblah..sorry but i honestly do i admire you having the patience to learn Physics.. i am more on a Chemistry person. But yes i do agree that in life we have to assume things and see its pros and cons, it is essential as it is somethign that will make us look forward to our everyday living.

Assuming is the basic of creativity and without creativity there is no development, no steps forward. Sure, as you teach physics, is the most easy and complete way to start explaining - in fact this assumption method is valid in most of the so called "exact" sciences. Actually, be it supported by some prior knowledge (you will take umbrella assuming it will rain because of latest weather report you hear on radio) or without any backup (be it you have a feeling or just want to prove something), assumption is part of our way to be. We are doing it so often that we sometime forget is something probable and not something sure/proved.