Question

consider the following argument:

1. all trees are mammals.
2. all mammals lay eggs.
3. therefore, all trees lay eggs.

which of the following terms appropriately describe this argument?
terms that appropriately describe
valid\tsound
weak\tcogent
terms that do not appropriately describe

Explanation:

1. Valid: A deductive argument is valid if its conclusion logically follows from its premises. Here, if we accept the two premises as true, the conclusion must be true (All trees are mammals → all mammals lay eggs → all trees lay eggs), so it is valid.
2. Sound: A sound argument is valid AND has all true premises. Both premises here are factually false (trees are not mammals, most mammals do not lay eggs), so it is not sound.
3. Weak: Weak describes inductive arguments where the conclusion does not follow from premises. This is a deductive argument, so it is not weak.
4. Cogent: Cogent applies to strong inductive arguments with true premises. This is not an inductive argument, so it is not cogent.

Answer:

Terms That Appropriately Describe

valid

Terms That Do Not Appropriately Describe

sound, weak, cogent