ABSTRACT
Alexius Meinong developed his theory of assumptions within a broader theoretical context which comprised his theory of mental acts, the 'map' of which can be plotted as follows. The main distinction among mental acts is that between intellective and emotional experiences. Meinong's theory of assumptions elaborates a semiotic of signs which displays important similarities with the semiotic theories developed by some of his contemporaries. Assumptions differ from judgements in that they lack the element of conviction typical of judgements in the strict sense. Consequently, assumptions occupy an 'intermediate,' so to speak, position between the level of representations and that of judgements proper. Language is possibly the field in which assumptions are most important. The connection between assumptions and inferences was pointed out by Russell in his critical notice of Uber Annahmen, which, as mentioned, suggested a possible connection between Meinong's theory and Frege's. One particular field in which assumptions perform a role of fundamental importance is that of non-intuitive presentations.
