Valid Arguments are arguments that cannot by any means have a premises that is true with a conclusion that is not true at the same time. If the two do not match up, the argument is not valid. That is the pure definition of Validity in logic.
Example: All Dell Laptops are blue. Kevin owns a Dell Laptop. Kevin's Laptop is blue.
-The argument is valid because there is no way that it can be said that ALL dell laptops are blue without Kevin's dell laptop also being blue.
Strong and Weak Arguments are not to be confused with Valid Arguments. If it is a strong argument, the truthful premises could still possibly lead to a false conclusion, however, it is very very very unlikely. The argument would be deemed not quite valid, but strong.
Example: The doors automatically lock when the bell rings. The bell rings at 9:00am. The doors lock at 9:00am.
This is a strong argument because although there is a possibility that the doors may experience technical difficulty (making it not valid), but nine times out of ten this argument will hold true, making it a strong one.
Weak Arguments are those that have a truthful premises but the likelihood of the conclusion also being true at the same time is very unlikely. When the conclusion of a premises is easily proven wrong, usually with common sense but in any event the evidence to prove false can be found very easily.
Helloooo ThatGuy!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you :] thanks for posting on my blog! I want to say I really enjoy reading your post. I totally agree with you about the definitions that was placed about valid, weak, and strong arguments. After reading your post I realized "All" could be use to make a statement valid and truthful. Also I liked how you distinguish "weak and strong" argument. Additionally, I liked how you put details into your work. Your strong and weak argument was clean and precise because there is no possibility for the door to not lock at 9:00 AM unless technical difficulties. After reading your post I had a clearer understanding of what chapter three was about. Overall keep up your good work!
[ellacomm]
Hey That Guy!
ReplyDeleteI loved the definitions you used for valid, strong, and weak arguments. I found it hard for some reason to put the definitions from the book into my own words once I had gotten the rules down in my mind and so I think you did a great job doing that! I also like the examples you used for both arguments. In example one, the argument is valid since the premise is true as well as the conclusion. However; the word "all" made this particular example a bad valid argument since "all" Dell computers are not blue. Lastly, after reading example 2, it was so easy to identify that it was a strong argument since the possibilities of locks not working is slim to none. Good Job!! :)