Argument

An argument is a list of premises, statements, or propositions that end with a claim or conclusion.^{(SEP, Dutilh Novaes) (Hardegree, p. 3) (Gingerich)}

A statement is a declarative statement, which can be true or false.^{(Hardegree, p. 3)}

Arguments can be one of or a combination of the following:^{(Gingerich) (IEP, Shanahan)}

• Valid argument: An argument that if premises are true so is the conclusion.
• Sound argument: An argument is valid and the premises are true.
• Invalid argument: An argument that if the premises are true it doesn’t necessarily mean that the conclusion is either.
• Unsound argument: argument that if the premises are not true or the chain of logic is not true.

Arguments can also be Deductive or Inductive:^{(IEP, Shanahan) (Gingerich)}

• Deductive: Conclusions necessarily/certainly follows from its premises. The premises in deductive arguments are based on pure logic, and can exist regardless of reality.
• Inductive: Conclusions follow its premises with some probability. Means that conclusion could be wrong since the premises could also be wrong. The premises in inductive arguments are based in reality.