Introduction to Philosophy (Arguments + Fallacies)
Soundness, Validity, Truth
True- in agreement with fact (Fundamentals: Truth and Validity 00:00:40)
Is a property of premises and statements, not arguments (00:00:45)
Valid – it is impossible for the premises to be true while the conclusion is false
(Fundamentals: Deductive Argument 00:01:22).
In other words, can you use reasoning based solely on the premises (and NOT what
you know to be true) to reach the conclusion? If yes, then the argument is valid.
A sound argument is one with true AND supportive premises (Benham 1).
(Sound = True + Valid)
Ex.
P1: If a bowl is made of glass, then it is see-through. (true)
P2: The bowl is made of glass. (true)
C: Therefore, the bowl is see-through. (valid)
Note: this argument follows the modus ponens “if, then” format. P1 = premise 1, P2 = premise 2,
C = claim/conclusion.
Notice how P2 and the Conclusion together ultimately restate P1. The premises are both
true and the argument is valid. Therefore, this argument is sound.
Argument
“an argument can be defined as providing reasons or evidence in support of a claim”
(Benham 1)
Evidence/reasons = Premise(s)
Claim (being argued) = Conclusion
Infer ential Strength – how well the evidence supports the claim (Benham 1).
Pay attention to the root word, Infer. Could you infer or use reasoning (based solely
on the premises) to reach the conclusion? If yes, then the argument has inferential
strength.
