Evaluating soundness and validity
Read each scenario below and answer the questions.

Scenario 1: In an interview for an upcoming documentary on the state of our environment, Kansas farmer Jeff Turley concluded that there is no such thing as global warming. In defending his position, Turley claimed that his tomato crop had improved steadily over the last 5 years, and therefore Earth’s conditions are at their best and getting better.

Address the following questions in 150 words:

• What is the difference between soundness and validity in the context of Jeff’s argument?
• How can Jeff’s argument be tested for validity?

Enter response here

Scenario 2: Gatorade’s 1992 “Be Like Mike” advertising campaign encouraged fans of Michael Jordan to “Be Like Mike” and drink Gatorade products. In a recent series of interviews by ESPN magazine, NBA stars Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Chris Webber all cited the advertisements as major motivational factors for them growing up. One may therefore conclude that drinking Gatorade will have a tremendous influence on athletic performance.

Address the following questions in 150 words:

• What is the difference between soundness and validity in the context of this argument?
• How can this argument be tested for validity?

Enter response here

 
Step 2: Discuss inferential claim and entailment for deduction.
In a 450-word response, address each of the following questions related to your answers in Step 1:

• Give an example of a valid argument. How does it exhibit inferential claim? How is the conclusion formed?
• Give an example of a valid argument with sound premises. How does it exhibit inferential claim? How is the conclusion formed?
• Identify the process of entailment for deduction.
• How can deduction be useful in determining the validity of an argument?
• Can an argument have a valid form and false premises?
Enter response here