PRESUME

I wrote previously on the problems with ASSUME.

PRESUME is like assume based on probability. But PRESUME is only accurate if your probability derivation is sound.

We do a lot of critical appraisal of clinical research and find many, many reasons why the reported findings are not as probable as they are seemingly reported. We see many patterns where our estimated (or subjective) probability for supporting conclusions is higher than the objective probability. There is a confirmation bias affecting our ability to make conclusions.

Be cautious if you PRESUME someone's motives, intentions or feelings based on their actions, behaviors, or what you hear from others. It is easy to see how the former could lead to the latter and consider that connection probable by "reverse engineering". But what is the probability of other explanations, and what is the probability you are applying a confirmation bias (or projection) in reaching such conclusions?

If ETHICS is as simple as treating others as you wish to be treated, consider if you would want others to PRESUME about you. If you PRESUME something negative, perhaps you want to double-check (PRESUME innocent if uncertain)