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Philosophy & ethics · Grades 9–12

Valid arguments, assumptions and ethical tradeoffs

A deductively valid argument has a form in which true premises guarantee the conclusion. Validity does not itself prove the premises true.

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Prerequisites

Relevant school subject foundations and careful reasoning.

Study notes

Validity

A deductively valid argument has a form in which true premises guarantee the conclusion. Validity does not itself prove the premises true.

Soundness

A sound deductive argument is valid and has true premises. Identify assumptions rather than concealing them.

Ethics

Consequences, duties, rights and fairness can offer different perspectives on a decision. A reasoned answer makes its criteria explicit.

Dialogue

Represent opposing views accurately and distinguish critique of reasoning from attacks on people. Some questions permit multiple defensible positions.

Worked examples

Does deductive validity alone guarantee that all premises are true?

Validity concerns the logical relationship, not premise truth.

No

What makes a deductive argument sound?

Both form and premise truth matter.

Validity plus true premises

Check your understanding

  1. Why should an ethical argument identify affected groups?

  2. Which is a critique of reasoning rather than a personal attack?

    1. The author looks strange
    2. The conclusion needs an additional premise
    3. No one should listen because of appearance
    4. The speaker is worthless

  3. Give one example of a tradeoff between two reasonable goals.

  4. An argument lists 4 premises, but 1 is explicitly duplicated. Count distinct premises.

Answers and marking guidance

Answers and marking notes
  1. Benefits, harms, rights and burdens may be distributed differently. Ignoring affected people can hide important considerations.

    Credit distribution and stakeholder relevance.

  2. The conclusion needs an additional premise

    Challenge claims and inferences rather than attacking personal worth.

  3. Protecting privacy while enabling useful research can create a tradeoff; a reasoned response explains safeguards, benefits and remaining risks.

    Accept other justified goal conflicts.

  4. 3

    4−1=3 distinct statements in the stipulated case.

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