In informal logic circles, the term cogent is typically used to describe a good argument. To some degree, this seems to be an attempt to accommodate deductive and inductive reasoning with a simple set of common terms. Among formal logicians, the word cogent is not commonly used. Instead the terms valid and sound are the standard.
Deductively Valid Arguments - A valid deductive argument is one in which, if the premises were true, then the conclusion must also be true. The premises deductively entail the conclusion so that it would be impossible for it to be false. Another way to think about it is to say that with deductively valid arguments, the premises support the conclusion 100%. If the argument does not meet these conditions then it is said to be deductively invalid. The terms valid and invalid refer to the relationship between the premises and the conclusion refereed to as the inference.
To asses whether an argument is valid, simply assume that the premises are all true (whether they are or not) and consider if it would still be possible for the conclusion to be false. If it is possible for the conclusion to be false, the argument is invalid. If it is not possible, it is a deductively valid argument.
Applying this concept to our informal logic model we find that a deductively valid argument is one in which the relevancy and sufficient grounds criteria are completely satisfied.
Deductively Sound Arguments - A deductively sound argument is one in which the argument is valid and all of it's premises are actually true. Hence, the arguments conclusion is true.
If the argument has one or more false premises, is invalid, or both, it is deductively unsound.
For instance, if I present the argument:
P1 If I can fly over this building, I am Superman.
P2 I can fly over this building.
C I am Superman.
This is a deductively valid argument since the form of the argument is such that if the premises were true, the conclusion must also be true. It is of course an unsound argument since one or more of it's premises are not true.
Applying the concept of soundness to the informal logic model we find that arguments that are sound qualify as cogent. There are, however, arguments that qualify as cogent in the ARG sense and do not qualify as sound in the classical sense. One reason is that the standard used to evaluate premises in formal logic is whether they are true or not true. In informal logic, premises are judged by the less stringent criteria of being either acceptable or unacceptable.
The two types of deductive arguments are categorical syllogisms and propositional arguments.
To asses whether an argument is valid, simply assume that the premises are all true (whether they are or not) and consider if it would still be possible for the conclusion to be false. If it is possible for the conclusion to be false, the argument is invalid. If it is not possible, it is a deductively valid argument.
Applying this concept to our informal logic model we find that a deductively valid argument is one in which the relevancy and sufficient grounds criteria are completely satisfied.
Deductively Sound Arguments - A deductively sound argument is one in which the argument is valid and all of it's premises are actually true. Hence, the arguments conclusion is true.
If the argument has one or more false premises, is invalid, or both, it is deductively unsound.
For instance, if I present the argument:
P1 If I can fly over this building, I am Superman.
P2 I can fly over this building.
C I am Superman.
This is a deductively valid argument since the form of the argument is such that if the premises were true, the conclusion must also be true. It is of course an unsound argument since one or more of it's premises are not true.
Applying the concept of soundness to the informal logic model we find that arguments that are sound qualify as cogent. There are, however, arguments that qualify as cogent in the ARG sense and do not qualify as sound in the classical sense. One reason is that the standard used to evaluate premises in formal logic is whether they are true or not true. In informal logic, premises are judged by the less stringent criteria of being either acceptable or unacceptable.
The two types of deductive arguments are categorical syllogisms and propositional arguments.
