You searched for: “supposition
supposition (s) (noun), suppositions (pl)
An uncertain belief about something or someone which is believed to be true even though there is no evidence or proof that such assumptions are true: Some people have been living with the supposition that the economy would be improving by now.

Too many military officials have lived with the supposition that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could be won; however, their suppositions have resulted in more deaths of civilians and military personnel than anyone could have anticipated and victory is no longer considered a possibility.