victor809 wrote:as·sump·tion [uh-suhmp-shuh n] Show IPA
noun
1.
something taken for granted; a supposition: a correct assumption. Synonyms: presupposition; hypothesis, conjecture, guess, postulate, theory.
be·lief [bih-leef] Show IPA
noun
1.
something believed; an opinion or conviction: a belief that the earth is flat.
These are similar words, and many times are interchangeable but not in this case. The assumption you made was that the gauge was incorrect, this was postulated, and then verified. "Belief" in this case would be that you believe all gauges to be incorrect all the time, without any need to verify. Either was, I suppose we are splitting hairs.
If you don't think your senses are instruments, then contemplate the idea of a microscope.
Apparently you've never taken a science class. When you want to test a idea, you must first form a hypothesis, in which you state an assumption of how you believe things will turn out. Then you go about trying to find out if your hypothesis is correct.Assumptions play a key role in science so don't be so quick to discredit them, and although not all assumptions that are made will turn out to be true, much can be learned from them as well.
And yes senses are a type of instrument, just not the type you can pick up and put in your coat pocket, they are the intangible type.
As far as beliefs, relying on my beliefs has saved my life on numerous occasions, stayed clear of a situations when everything seemed normal and everyone else thought nothing could go wrong. Did I have to take out a beaker, microscope, thermometer. No, I believed in the intangibles such as my instincts.
*Just on a personal note so no one makes an assumption because of my profession, the situations in which my life was spared had nothing to do with combat, as stated before I normally work in a warehouse, just work hazards in what was supposed to be a routine work day. Not trying to take credit for something I don't do.