valid argument
Logically correct inference
A valid argument, in logic, is one where the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises—if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
Validity concerns structure, not truth: an argument can be valid with false premises.
The argument is valid but unsound because premise two is false.
In everyday use, valid argument often just means a reasonable or persuasive point: She made a valid argument for waiting.
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- truthAccordance with reality
- soundnessReliability of structure
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
deduction · debate · syllogism · logical consistency · justification · counterexample · persuasion · rationality · inference · legal reasoning · scientific method · rhetoric · point of view · case in point · ethical reasoning · critical thinking · entailment · objection
- reasoningreasoning, reason, logic, inference, deductive
- logicpremise, premises, conclusion, conclusions, inference
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, debate, public speaking
- debate termsdebate, logic, reasoning, counterargument, rebuttal
- logic rulessyllogism, inference, contraposition, double negation, conjunction
- deductionssubtraction, deductive reasoning, inference, conclusion, tax write-off
valid argumentfallacious argument
Misleading but plausible reasoning
sophistry · circular reasoning · begging the question · weak argument · red herring
valid, argument, validity, validate, validated, validating, validation, validator, invalid