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What does it take to make a good argument?

Yaoi Shonen-ai by Yaoi Shonen-ai
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It takes both "validity" and "soundness." My answers are often criticized because the critics say I sound like a "know-it-all," but I guess that is the effect of always trying to be both "valid" and "sound." I wish more answerers tried to be both valid and sound.

"A deductive argument is said to be valid if and only if it takes a form that makes it impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion nevertheless to be false. Otherwise, a deductive argument is said to be invalid.

A deductive argument is sound if and only if it is both valid, and all of its premises are actually true. Otherwise, a deductive argument is unsound."
http://www.iep.utm.edu/v/val-snd.htm

You can find complete definitions of those subjects at that link, or at this one
http://www.ditext.com/runes/a.html

ADDED:
mtheo is incorrect when he says "if all of this is present then the conclusion will be valid and sound, true." The major and minor premises can be true, yet the conclusion can be false, even if all the pieces and parts of a syllogism are properly constructed. He describes a "valid" syllogism; not necessarily a "sound" one.
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Other Answers (12)

  • Lauren R by Lauren R
    Member since:
    September 15, 2007
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    Facts.
    0% 0 Votes
    • 1 person rated this as good
  • jelle by jelle
    Member since:
    March 26, 2006
    Total points:
    10,362 (Level 6)
    The ferociousness of a pitbull (facts although helpful are not always necessary)
    22% 2 Votes
    • 1 person rated this as good
  • JOHN B by JOHN B
    Member since:
    December 07, 2006
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    16,105 (Level 6)
    I guess it depends what you mean by an "argument":

    If you mean a logical discussion of alternative points of view, it can take minutes, or weeks, or years.

    If you mean a verbal or physical disagreement, it can take only seconds. Or perhaps a long time, as well.

    You will have to be more specific what you are referring to, for us to answer your question.
    0% 0 Votes
    • 1 person rated this as good
  • te144 by te144
    Member since:
    August 30, 2007
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    36,100 (Level 7)
    Command of your own emotions and the facts that comprise your side of the question.
    0% 0 Votes
  • w_white52002 by w_white5...
    Member since:
    March 19, 2006
    Total points:
    629 (Level 2)
    A person must know the subject matter. A person have a passion for the information being said and how the information is being communicated. A person must be considerate of the person who does not agree with his/her viewpoint. I also suggest that a person speak low, speak slow, rise high, and take fire of the subject matter.
    0% 0 Votes
  • <3 by <3
    Member since:
    February 27, 2008
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    angry people
    0% 0 Votes
  • schuttz by schuttz
    Member since:
    April 24, 2006
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    Persuasiveness is the key to forming a good argument. You have to know how to communicate your particular stance, and you've got to lay it down in a logical, easy-to-follow fashion. Some brilliant philosophers are not easy to follow, but unless you are in the Deleuzian school of philosophy (i.e. you are creating new terms and language for your ideas), keep it simple.

    The one thing people always forget is rhetoric. There are always going to be counter-arguments to your own argument, and the best argumentation comes from an acknowledgement of those counterpoints. If you have the capacity to view a variety of interpretations stemming from the same event (or series of events), chances are you will incorporate alternate interpretations into your own argument and spin them in such a way as to make them work for you rather than against.

    But as I said initially--if you are boring and unimaginative and unintelligible, people will ignore your argument right from the start.
    11% 1 Vote
  • Alan Turing by Alan Turing
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    February 14, 2008
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    Reason, placid presentation, empathy, facts, care, and humor.
    0% 0 Votes
  • Mitch by Mitch
    Member since:
    May 13, 2008
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    1,533 (Level 3)
    The truth
    11% 1 Vote
  • peter m by peter m
    Member since:
    December 12, 2006
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    7,984 (Level 5)
    2 people who are willing to learn.

    Read Sir karl Popper and understand,by example,from one of the best.
    0% 0 Votes
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  • mtheoryrules by mtheoryr...
    Member since:
    November 30, 2007
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    45,722 (Level 7)
    In deductive reasoning a syllogism the premises must be true and the conclusion must contain the middle term, if all of this is present then the conclusion will be valid and sound, true.

    Inductive reasoning moves from the specific to broad
    and so its conclusion will never be more than a probable out come.

    Like you could say that
    90% of all alpicants have scored above 80 on the test
    of the remaining 10% all were hired before testing was implemented.
    Your conclusion might be that if you apply you will need to score above 80 percent on the test but it is only a reasonable guess and not a fact because there exists a small chance that a possible execption will be made.
    Anything that is a logical fallacy is regarded as an incorrect argument and so it does not matter if the conclusion it reachs is true or not because it is not supported by sound and valid reasoning.
    Also there is something called the rule of non-contradiction, it would not be rational to maintian that this and not this at the same time of any term.

    Source(s):

    Some basic logic stuff, basicaly logic dictates what constitutes sound arguments.
    11% 1 Vote
  • joker by joker
    Member since:
    March 08, 2007
    Total points:
    2,329 (Level 3)
    To be right before you start arguing. Ha ha
    11% 1 Vote

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