Assumption Quote by David Bohm
““You may not even have known that you had an assumption. It was only because he came up with the opposite one that you find out that you have one. You may uncover other assumptions, but we are all suspending them and looking at them all, seeing what they mean.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: “The Nature of Assumptions,” 1975, International Physics Conference
Assumptions are hidden; confronting opposite ideas reveals them, prompting deeper reflection.
In simple terms: Opposite ideas expose hidden assumptions.
Key Takeaway
Question your beliefs by seeking contrary viewpoints.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- debate clubs
- personal journaling
- research design
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑awareness
dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions guide your decisions?
- How can you test them with opposing evidence?
A Different Perspective
Opposite perspectives may reinforce existing biases if not examined critically.
![“The system [of thought] doesn't stay with the difficult problem that produces unpleasant feelings. It's conditioned somehow to move as fast as it can toward more pleasant feelings, without actually facing the thing that's making the unpleasant feeling.” quote by David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2a/david-bohm-4805_difficult_the-system-of-thought-doesn-t-stay-with_8291.jpg)
