Which is true of the following argument: "All dogs are rabid.Some rabid things are mammals.Therefore,some dogs are mammals."
A) The argument is sound.
B) The argument is valid.
C) The argument is both unsound and invalid.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This argument is neither valid nor sound. It is unsound because it contains a false premise and because it is invalid. The false premise is that all dogs are rabid. Some dogs-most dogs in fact-are not rabid. The argument is also invalid. Even if all dogs were rabid and some rabid things are mammals, this would not entail that some dogs are mammals. Notice that the conclusion is true, but the argument is invalid because the truth of the premises would not guarantee the truth of the conclusion. Replace "dogs" with "sharks" and the invalidity of the argument might be easier to appreciate.

Which Is True of the Following Argument: "All Dogs Are