Suppositional

Suppositional describes something based on a supposition or hypothesis; relating to a claim or belief that is not necessarily proven or based on certain fact. It suggests an element of conjecture, speculation, or the consideration of possibilities. It indicates something that is tentatively offered or explored, rather than definitively established. The term highlights the conditional nature of an idea or statement, acknowledging that it relies on an assumption, often as a starting point for reasoning or investigation. In essence, a suppositional concept is rooted in what might be true, or what could happen given certain conditions. This is a key tool used in many academic fields.

Suppositional meaning with examples

• The scientist began with a suppositional model of the universe, building upon existing data while introducing new elements of theoretical physics. This allowed for a testable framework for exploration, which helped to generate data for new research, and potentially lead to breakthroughs. This approach helped to challenge existing thought patterns and explore areas which were previously impossible.
• The legal argument relied on a suppositional scenario, assuming a series of events that may have led to the alleged crime. However, without hard evidence, it was clear that there was a large degree of doubt surrounding the argument. The lawyer needed to offer another argument in court, one that was based more firmly on evidence to support the case.
• The philosophical discussion quickly moved to a suppositional realm, discussing 'what ifs' of ethics, such as the nature of good and evil, with no absolute answers. While there was no hard evidence to be used, these theoretical discussions were helpful to see multiple viewpoints on the same concepts, and hopefully reach some new conclusions. This helped with critical thinking.
• The author used a suppositional narrative in their story, allowing the characters to interact with alternate realities to explore the consequences of different choices. This creative device allowed for a deeper examination of the characters' personalities and motivations. It had the interesting effect of allowing the reader to think and relate to what they are reading in a new and improved way.