All domains of knowledge rest upon some form of assumptions. Philosophy, it appears to claim, thinks it does not do so but that is for another discussion.
Our first conscious contact with assumptions probably occurred when we took Geometry and started with axioms such as “a straight line is the shortest distance between two pointsâ€.
The natural sciences assume the world is knowable, quantifiable, measurable, etc. Theology assumes the existence of a caring God and the reliability of the written word. Every domain of knowledge is limited by its assumptions. The assumptions distort and limit the world of enquiry for that domain of knowledge.
Our intellectual worldview is filled with assumptions. I think that one task of intellectual maturity is examining our closely held assumptions, which in many cases are carried over from our childhood. Track down your ideologies and examine the assumptions upon which they rest would be a good way to overcome a boring Sunday afternoon.
What assumption does one make in the name of patriotism? I am inclined to say that patriotism is ‘love of country’. I must assume that my nation deserves my love. I must assume that love can be a rationally induced emotion. I assume I my not know what I am talking about here.
I agree with your argument, but I think people realize they’re assumptions more often than you allow for.
The aim of the natural sciences is to describe the world, in doing so, these assumptions, that it is knowable, quantifiable, measureable, etc, are necessary to further study, and it is much better that we make these assumptions and take them for granted than to have all our scientists throw their hands and the air and exclaim study is impossible because the world is not quantifiable. In pursuit of this then, they recognize their study is based on, and applicable only to this world.
In the same way, a geometrist (what is the word for a person who studies geometry?) allows for a line to be the shortest distance between to points so long as he stays in the second and third dimensions, beyond that, a line must be redefined.
If these assumptions are ignored by the average citizen, it is probably for the better. Too many stupid people have asked themselves why they are patriotic, not found an answer, and then gone and protested the government before even asking “why protest?” and realizing they have no good answer for that either.