Question

____________ is a basic understanding that undergirds one’s thinking on a given topic.

Answer 1

Answer:

presupposition

Explanation:

This is an assumption that underlies a given argument or topic of discussion. A presupposition is a ready truth that is "basic" to the topic at hand. For example, John is running with his wife again. In the sentence it is already known that John has a wife and he has previously ran with her. From here we are able to establish or tell other truths about John since we already know the basics that John has a wife and John and his wife have both ran before. Presuppositions are how we understand and divulge new topics that may be alien to us.

Answer 2

Answer:    Presupposition

Explanation:  In fact, this is under girds thinking because it is something that has been tacitly supposed, assumed, that is, it is meant as a starting argument from which to derive other arguments. It may also refer to the initial tacit community opinion from which a series of procedures will follow. This is, therefore, an assumption that may be at the level of a hypothesis, from which starts one when wants to prove something, or to challenge something, or an initial thought / belief, a premise that will follow some sequence of conclusions.

For example, one might say, "He challenged the assumption that there are other civilisations in space."

It can also go from what is known to assumptions, that is presupposition:  "He is no longer a taxi driver." Presupposition would be: "He was a taxi driver."