Introduction to PhilosophyNotesThis is not a substitute for coming to class - or for reading the material. Richard Lee
Philosophy 2003 C 001Copyright © 2002, Richard Lee Autumn 2002
 

Validity

An argument form is valid if there is no substitution instance which renders the premises true and the conclusion false.

An argument is valid if its form is valid.

An argument is sound if

  1. it is valid, and
  2. all its premises are true.

An example of a valid argument form:

If A, then B.
If B, then C.
If A, then C.

An example of a valid argument:

If Lee is Martian, then Lee has antennae.
Lee is Martian.
So, Lee has antennae.


Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 3 September 2002