a foundational assumption of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational assumption of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a basic belief or principle that underlies a theory, argument, or system. Example: "The study is based on a foundational assumption of the interconnectedness of all living organisms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Opportunism, a foundational assumption of many economic theories that claims human beings are generally self-interested and will take advantage of others when possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nussbaum (2006) suggests that the source of political philosophy's ignoring the disabled lies in a foundational assumption of social contract theory.

SEP

The ongoing design and implementation of international protected area management systems in general, and the one described in this paper, continue to be based on a foundational assumption of a lack of community capacity for governance of the resources on which they depend, the "deficit" model.

World Development

The second assumption (causal Markov condition) is a foundational assumption of Bayesian networks [ 47] and it is reasonable given empirical success of Bayesian networks in modelling SNP-SNP and SNP-phenotype relations, e.g. see [ 7, 10, 11, 48].

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Gellman grants that if a religious belief affirmed by an exclusivist is not rock bottom (is not a foundational assumption), then it may well be subject to obligatory belief assessment in the face of religious diversity.

SEP

Fr cannot compensate for a factor that violates the foundational assumption of its development.

Biology Open

In this chapter, we first describe the foundational assumption of IET: that the experience of intergroup emotions depends upon group membership and the pervasive normative processes that group membership entails.

Advances in Experimental Social Psychology

Differences in shape, no matter how small they may appear, violate the foundational assumption of using Fr.

Biology Open

Because classifications are hypotheses about the fundamental nature of a knowledge domain, the foundational assumptions of any classification must be continually evaluated and challenged.

BMC Cancer

In the ELSA/RRI literature on nanoscience and nanotechnology, several authors have called for a philosophy of science component able to address issues of foundational assumptions of nanoscience; such a component should be integrated into a more comprehensive approach to addressing nanoscience in society (e.g. Khushf [2007]; Grunwald [2011]).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The foundational assumptions of these frameworks centralize the predominance of market-based forms of organization in liberal market economies, which are supported through coherent systems of governance, strong regulatory oversight, and enforcement of contractual rights (Jamali & Karam, 2016).

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foundational assumption of", ensure the assumption is genuinely fundamental and not just a supporting detail. This clarifies the core basis of your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid labeling every assumption as "a foundational assumption of". Reserve this phrase for the most critical, underlying beliefs or principles. Overuse dilutes its impact and can make your reasoning appear less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational assumption of" functions as a noun phrase, introducing a fundamental belief or principle upon which something is based. It sets the stage for understanding the underlying logic or rationale, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational assumption of" serves to introduce a core belief underlying a theory or argument. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound but relatively rare. Its usage is most common in scientific and academic contexts, highlighting its role in formal reasoning. When employing this phrase, ensure the assumption is genuinely fundamental to avoid diluting its impact and strive for precision in your language. Alternative phrases such as "a fundamental premise of" or "a core tenet of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental premise of

Replaces 'assumption' with 'premise', emphasizing a statement assumed to be true and serving as a basis for reasoning.

a core tenet of

Uses 'tenet' instead of 'assumption', suggesting a principle or belief held as true.

a basic presupposition of

Substitutes 'assumption' with 'presupposition', highlighting something assumed beforehand.

a central axiom of

Replaces 'assumption' with 'axiom', implying a self-evident truth.

an underlying principle of

Focuses on the 'principle' that forms the base, rather than the 'assumption'.

a bedrock belief of

Emphasizes the firmness and stability of the belief.

a fundamental starting point of

Highlights the role of the assumption as an initial basis.

a primary building block of

Uses a metaphor to describe the assumption as an essential component.

a key unstated assumption of

Highlights that the assumption may not be explicitly mentioned.

an implicit understanding of

Shifts focus to the implied comprehension that underpins something.

FAQs

How can I use "a foundational assumption of" in a sentence?

You can use "a foundational assumption of" to introduce a core belief or principle that underlies an argument, theory, or system. For instance, "A foundational assumption of neoclassical economics is that individuals act rationally."

What are some alternatives to "a foundational assumption of"?

Some alternatives include "a fundamental premise of", "a core tenet of", or "an underlying principle of", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a foundational assumption of" and "a key assumption of"?

"A foundational assumption of" indicates a more fundamental, underlying belief, while "a key assumption of" simply highlights an important assumption. The former is more critical to the overall structure.

When is it appropriate to challenge "a foundational assumption of" a theory?

Challenging "a foundational assumption of" a theory is appropriate when there's evidence suggesting it's flawed or no longer applicable. This can lead to new theoretical frameworks or refinements of existing ones.