What is a premise?

A premise is a proposition or statement upon which an argument is based. It is an assumption or a fact that is used as evidence or support for a conclusion or inference. In logic, a premise is one of the two main components of an argument, the other being the conclusion. A sound argument consists of true premises and a valid conclusion. Premises can be explicit or implicit, and they can be stated or unstated. They are important in critical thinking and reasoning as they help to establish the validity of an argument and the credibility of the conclusion that follows from it.