5:2 - Postulate

When & Where: I saw this word while reading an article in Social Education called, "Fault Lines in American Culture: The Case for Civic Debate." The sentence it was used in was, "While economic utility postulates that you are what you do for a living, consumerism says you are what you accumulate" (p. 202).

Definition: According to dictionary.com, postulate can be used as a noun or a verb, and in this context it  means, "Suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief."

Level of Familiarity: I've never seen this word before, and I am still not certain that I feel comfortable using it. It seems to mean "suggest," but it also carries other connotations, like truth and fact. I wonder if assumptions of truth are good enough to form an argument around, and subsequently, if postulating is a neutral thing to do or if that word indicates the presence of bias or subjectivity.

Reflective Commentary: I really don't know if this is a word I will ever use. Maybe if I saw it or heard it used correctly in different settings I would better understand what it means and when it is appropriate to use it. When I look at the definition and reread the sentence I found the word in, it almost reminds me of what happens during debates. Candidates have certain "facts" that they base their arguments on. This process would be considered "postulating."