1. 3.5
Symbolic Arguments

2. Symbolic Arguments
An argument is valid when its conclusion necessarily follows from a given set of premises.
An argument is invalid (or a fallacy) when the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the given set of premises.

3. Valid or Invalid?
If the truth table answer column is true in every case, then the statement is a tautology, and the argument is valid.
If the truth table answer column is not true in every case then the statement is not a tautology, and the argument is invalid.

4. Law of Detachment Also called modus ponens.
The argument form symbolically written:
Premise 1:
Premise 2:
Conclusion:
If [ premise 1 and premise 2 ] then conclusion
[ (p g q) ^ p ] g q

5. Determine Whether an Argument is Valid
Write the argument in symbolic form.
Compare the form with forms that are known to be either valid or invalid.
If the argument contains two premises, write a conditional statement of the form
[(premise 1) ^ (premise 2)] g conclusion
Construct a truth table for the statement in step 3.
If the answer column of the table has all trues, the statement is a tautology, and the argument is valid. If the answer column of the table does not have all trues, the argument is invalid.

6. Example: Determining Validity with a Truth Table
Determine whether the following argument is valid or invalid.
If you score 90% on the final exam, then you will get an A for the course.
You will not get an A for the course.
You do not score 90% on the final exam.

7. Example: Determining Validity with a Truth Table
Solution:
Let p: You score 90% on the final exam.
q: You will get an A in the course.
In symbolic form the argument is:
p g q ~q
~p
Construct a truth table.

8. Example: Determining Validity with a Truth Table
Fill-in the table in order, as follows: p q
[(p g q) ^
~ q] g ~p T F T F T F F T F T T F T 1 3 2 5 4
Since column 5 has all T’s, the argument is valid.

9. Valid Arguments Law of Detachment Law of Syllogism
Law of Contraposition
Disjunctive Syllogism

10. Invalid Arguments
Fallacy of the Converse
Fallacy of the Inverse

11. Homework
P. 147 # 7 – 63 EOO