Week six day 2

Discussion questions
Vacuum Sales digital story: Of the two arguments provided in the digital story, which is valid and which is sound? When you are building and argument for an issue that is significant to you, do you think it is more important to be valid or sound? Explain your answer.

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To determine which argument in the Vacuum Sales digital story is valid and sound, you will need to analyze the arguments presented in the story and assess their logical consistency and the accuracy of their premises. The goal is to critically evaluate the reasoning and evidence behind each argument.

To begin, review the two arguments provided in the digital story and identify the premises - the reasons or evidence provided to support the conclusion. Look for any flaws in the reasoning or any unsupported claims. Here's a step-by-step process to evaluate the arguments:

1. Identify the arguments:
a) Argument 1:
- Premise: People who want a clean house need a high-quality vacuum.
- Conclusion: Therefore, everyone should buy a high-quality vacuum.

b) Argument 2:
- Premise: High-quality vacuums are expensive and not worth the cost.
- Conclusion: Therefore, people should buy cheap vacuums instead.

2. Assess the validity of the arguments:
Validity refers to the logical structure of an argument, determining whether the conclusion follows logically from the premises. In other words, if the premises are true, does the conclusion necessarily follow? Check whether the premises logically lead to the conclusion in each argument:

a) Argument 1:
- Premise: People who want a clean house need a high-quality vacuum.
- Conclusion: Therefore, everyone should buy a high-quality vacuum.

This argument is not valid because the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premise. While people wanting a clean house might require a high-quality vacuum, it does not mean that everyone should buy one.

b) Argument 2:
- Premise: High-quality vacuums are expensive and not worth the cost.
- Conclusion: Therefore, people should buy cheap vacuums instead.

This argument is valid since the conclusion logically follows from the premise. If high-quality vacuums are indeed expensive and not worth the cost, it makes logical sense to recommend buying cheaper vacuums.

3. Assess the soundness of the arguments:
Soundness involves determining whether an argument is both valid and has true premises. Even if an argument is valid, it may not be sound if its premises are false. Evaluate the truthfulness of the premises:

a) Argument 1:
This argument is not sound because it is not valid.

b) Argument 2:
To assess if this argument is sound, you need to evaluate whether the premise - "High-quality vacuums are expensive and not worth the cost" - is true. This assessment requires additional information or research to determine the accuracy of this claim. Without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the soundness of this argument.

Regarding the question of whether it is more important for an argument to be valid or sound when building an argument for a significant issue, it is generally more important for an argument to be sound. While validity is crucial for ensuring logical consistency, soundness goes a step further by ensuring that the premises are true. A sound argument provides a strong foundation and credibility to support your position on a significant issue.

However, keep in mind that achieving soundness can be challenging, as it requires accurate and well-supported premises. Validity alone is not sufficient, as an argument can be logically consistent but still based on untrue premises. So, when constructing arguments, strive for both validity and soundness by carefully considering the logical structure and supporting your premises with reliable evidence or reasoning.