Introduction to Logic

Truth, Validity, and Soundness

Abstract: The foundation-concepts of deductive logic are explained--truth, validity, and

soundness.

Sound Argument: (1) valid, (2) true premisses (obviously the conclusion is true as well
by the definition of validity).

Tell whether the following statements are true or false.

1. A sound argument is a deductive argument which is valid and has true premiss.
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2. It is impossible for a deductive argument to be both valid and unsound.

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3. If a deductive argument is valid, it cannot be unsound.

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4. If the premisses of a deductive argument are true, then the argument must be
sound.
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5. If the conclusion of a deductive argument is true, then the argument might be

sound or it might be unsound.
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6. If the premisses of a deductive argument are true, then the conclusion must be
true.
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7. If a deductive argument is valid, then its conclusion might be true or it might be

false.
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8. A sound argument is a deductive argument that has valid premisses.

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9. If a valid argument has a false conclusion, then it must have at least one false
premiss.
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10. If a deductive argument is valid and at least one of its premisses is false, then its
conclusion is also false.
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