Discussion Questions: Week Three

2.) Discuss Strong versus Valid Arguments in detail. Give an example of each from everyday life.

Strong Argument vs. Valid Argument
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Validity of an argument is based upon if a statement is true then the conclusion must be true those making an argument valid.

Example: All Yogurtland employees must wear uniform before starting their shifts. Ellene is a Yogurtland employee. Therefore Ellene must wear Yogurtland uniform before her shift starts.


This argument is valid because its true that all Yogurtland employees must wear uniform. There is no doubt about the first sentence. Since Ellene is a Yogurtland employee she would have to wear uniform before working. 

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Strong argument is very different from a valid argument. Since valid argument do not need to be strong rather it just needs to be true. 


Example: Roughly 70% of Americans drive cars. Sam is an American. Therefore, Sam drives a car.


To determine if the argument is either weak or strong we do not care if the premises (the first sentence) is true or not. This argument can be seen as a strong argument because roughly 70% of Americans drive cars. The 70% is in the high percentage scale so since Sam is an American; there is a high possibility that Sam drives a car. Those making this argument strong.