How do we evaluate a deductive argument?
For a deductive argument, the criteria are truth, validity and soundness.
What is truth?
A statement is true when its claim corresponds to reality. For example, the statement "snow is white" is true because in reality snow is indeed white. However, the statement "the moon is made of green cheese" is false because in reality the moon is not made of green cheese. Note that truth and falsity apply only to statements (as opposed to arguments).
What is validity?
A deductive argument is valid when its premisses entail (lead to) its conclusion, that is, when it is not possible for its premisses to be true and its conclusion false. For example: "All heavenly bodies made of green cheese are bright. The moon is a heavenly body made of green cheese. Therefore the moon is bright." Two things must be noted here. First, this criterion does not require the premisses to be true; it is enough that they would lead to the conclusion if they were true. Second, validity applies only to arguments, as opposed to statements. (Note that the word for a handicapped person is also spelt "invalid". The pronunciation, however, is different. The word for a handicapped person is pronounced "IN-ver-lid", while the word for a deductive argument where the premisses do not lead to the conclusion is pronounced "in-VAIR-lid".)
Does this mean we cannot say a statement is valid?
The word "valid" is commonly used as meaning "true" (as in "it's valid to say the moon is a heavenly body"), but this is technically wrong. "True" and "false" apply to statements. "Valid" and "invalid" apply to arguments.
Next: What is soundness?
Thank you for visiting this blog. The writer is a freelance argumentologist, philosopher and trainer, specialising in the science and art of clear thought. For more information on his services, please visit his website (link provided) or email him (see Profile in left margin).
Thursday, 23 April 2009
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hi, so much talking about thought or clear thought (mental activity), so what's the seed of 'thought'? And what's 'mental activity' do you mean here? When you say it is 'clear', what does it mean to you with the word clear in respect to your thought? Why do human beings have thoughts? Does thought(s) has/have its/their limitation?
What is TRUTH or REALITY? Are you talking about 'relative truth' here? Is TRUTH within our human being language communicative expression? What's basic nature of human being? Thank you!
Amiable brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you for your information.
A smile is just a smile. A flower is just a flower... and so forth that we name or call them for humankind communicating purpose in term of languages or words created by mankind of different languages! We are actually wearing colour glass to see things around us!
On other hand when a baby or kid is seeing... it is just seeing... nothing else... & so forth the other senses such as hearing but they response/reflect naturally without any distinguishment or difference! Does a baby or animal think? Aren't they the most practical living creatures without theories whatsoever on earth because their mind-heart are so pure? What they reflect/do just a bird flying in the air without any trace/track!
Smile & Cheers~~~
Brim over I agree but I contemplate the brief should secure more info then it has.
Yet sarcastically exactly the thought-process is just bubble(s) that create this colourful/desirable 'what is what' which we normally call or name as world through our 6 senses interactive contact(s). Have you in thoughtless state but with pure or bare awareness? Finally... philosophically because I am therefore I think or because I think therefore I am! There is a so called 'beginning point' - the ego! To me, it is a dualistic concept that we are falling into... YET it had been a great philosophy eversince in this truth-world of relativity... Smile & Cheers Always~~~
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