Purchase Solution

Arguments - Unsound and Invalid

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

This posting discusses the difference between an unsound argument and an invalid argument. It gives an example of each.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

This posting discusses the difference between an unsound argument and an invalid argument. It gives an example of each.

Solution Preview

When dissecting arguments, please try to examine its two parts: premises and conclusion. Both are made of true or false statements. The premises are designed to be support statements, leading to a conclusion. However, if an argument has a false conclusion, it is unsound. Although please remember that it can still be valid. "If an argument has at least one false premise, it is unsound. If the premises don't imply the conclusion, then the argument is invalid"

Here is an example of an unsound argument:

1. All heavenly bodies are comprised of blue cheese.

2. The moon is a heavenly body.

3. Thus, the moon is made of blue cheese.

Since statement 1 is false, it deems the argument as unsound.

Another idea includes:

1. All heavenly bodies rotate around the earth.

2. The sun is a celestial body.

3. Therefore, the sun rotates around the earth.

This argument is unsound because premise (1) is false. Even if an argument is valid and has a true conclusion, it can still be unsound if its premise is false.

Source obtained from ...

Solution provided by:
Stacy Shaneyfelt, MA
Education
  • BS , Slippery Rock University
  • MA, Slippery Rock University
Recent Feedback
  • "thk u"
  • "Thank you. Posted one more.. if you are online pls help. "
  • "thk u"
  • "thk u"
  • "thnk you"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Danticat Quiz

This quiz will help students learn important vocabulary from Danticat's The Dew Breaker.

Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal

This quiz was written to test your understanding of Jonathan Swift’s essay, A Modest Proposal.

Matching writers to their works

The quiz will list the name of a famous writer and you will be given a number of book, poem, short story, and play titles that you must match with the correct author.

Vocabulary Review for "Number the Stars"

This quiz reviews basic vocabulary terms associated with the book, "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry. Knowledge of word meanings aids in comprehension.

Homonyms

This quiz will help students learn more about homonyms. These words, in particular, are commonly misused by people because they sound the same, but have very different meanings from each other.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Comprehensive Arguement Anaylsis

    o Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument. o Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you determined this. o Does the author use moral reasoning?

  • Inductive and Deductive Thinking, Logic and Beliefs

    Example 2: Unsound and invalid deductive argument (wrong premise and wrong conclusion): All wines are whiskey Chardonnay is a whiskey Therefore, Chardonnay is a wine.

  • Philosophy arguments

    5459 Philosophy arguments 1. Arguments are inductive if they are invalid. (True or false and Explain why??) 2. A valid argument can have a false conclusion. (Explain why and If true, then give an example??) 3.

  • Distinction between Deductive and Inductive Argument

    Arguments or inferences that are certain or intended to be certain are Deductive Arguments or Inferences. The inference is Valid when it is certain and is Invalid when it is meant to be certain but is incomplete.

  • Scientific Arguments

    294758 Analyze a scientist's arguments, why sound or unsound Explain why each argument is either sound or unsound. A scientist proposes the following arguments to determine if a human being is a person: 1.

  • Argument Analysis

    o Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you determined this. Since this claim is not supported by evidence, is invalid and unsound.

  • Article Analysis: Fallacies, Rhetoric, Premise, and Argument

    Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you determined this.

  • Valid or Invalid Syllogisms

    Please help me determine if the arguments below are valid or invalid and what form they take and check the first one i did please.

  • Philosophy true or false questions

    Arguments are inductive if they are invalid.
    (True or false and Explain why??)

    To answer this question, think about it in terms of what are the definitions of valid and inductive arguments.

View More Related Solutions