< there should be a phrase for hypothesizing without due consideration >

There is. Up North we call it "Talking bollox!" I might add, that it's summat we all tend to do from time to time. It just takes a bitta guts to hold us hands up and say, "Yup - y' got me there. I was obviously talking bollox!" Some folks - academics in this case - seem to think themselves immune from this simple human quality. Anyway, ignore me - I'm probaby talking bollox!

More tea vicar!?