Week 3 - Post 2: Valid and Strong Arguments

A valid argument is an argument in which there is no remote possibility that either the premise or the conclusion is true while the other is false at the same time. An example of such an argument would be, “In order to pass Chad 60 I was required to complete 2 exams and 20 service hours. I performed all of these requirements in the allotted time. Therefore, I passed the course with a good grade.” A strong argument is one that can be subjected to any unlikely possibility, and both the premise and the conclusion will remain true. An example of a strong argument that I often hear in everyday life is, “Diet and exercise are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. So, eating plenty of nutrient-rich foods and being physically active on a daily basis will make you healthy.” For most people, this combination would result in healthful benefits. But, there could be a small amount of people who face specific health problems that continue to threaten there health or keep them overweight despite their diets and physical activity. Nonetheless, this would be considered a strong argument because it holds true with the majority of the population.