Sound

Definition

In logic, a sound argument is one that is both valid and has all true premises. It guarantees the truth of the conclusion if the premises are true.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An argument is sound if and only if it is valid and its premises are true.
2. Soundness ensures that the conclusion of an argument cannot be false if the premises are true.
3. A sound argument must first be valid; validity means that if the premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true.
4. All sound arguments are valid, but not all valid arguments are sound because their premises might not be true.
5. Soundness is a stronger condition than validity in logical arguments.

Review Questions

• What two conditions must an argument meet to be considered sound?
• Can an argument still be considered valid even if it is not sound? Why or why not?
• Why does a sound argument guarantee the truth of its conclusion?

Related terms

Validity: A property of an argument where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

Premises: Statements or propositions from which a conclusion is derived in an argument.

Conclusion: The statement or proposition that follows logically from the premises in an argument.