If you buy the premise, you’ll buy the bit
“If you buy the premise, you’ll buy the bit” is a maxim of humor and joke telling. “A guy goes to a psychiatrist and says…” or “A priest, a minister, and a rabbi are sitting at a bar…” are setups for a joke. Someone who doesn’t buy that premise (someone of limited imagination, because it’s just a joke) will never get the joke.
This extends to logical argument in general. Without believing in a premise, the rest of the argument, like the rest of the joke, goes nowhere.
Sometimes the premise is hidden, incidentally or intentionally, and sometimes it is assumed without analysis and investigation. This is a reminder to find the premise, consider it carefully, and decide whether to buy it.
To close less seriously, with a ridiculous premise, one of my favorite jokes.
A guy goes to a psychiatrist.
Guy says, “Doc, my brother thinks he’s a chicken.”
Psychiatrist says, “Bring him in and I’ll examine him.”
Guy says, “I would, but we need the eggs.”
Bob Schwartz 