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What makes a statement valid?

A statement is considered valid in different contexts, depending on what kind of statement it is:

1. Logic:

* Valid Argument: A valid argument is one where the conclusion logically follows from the premises. This means that if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

* Example:

* Premise 1: All dogs are mammals.

* Premise 2: My pet is a dog.

* Conclusion: Therefore, my pet is a mammal.

* Valid Deductive Inference: In deductive reasoning, a valid inference is one where the conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true.

* Example:

* Premise: All men are mortal.

* Premise: Socrates is a man.

* Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

2. Truth:

* True Statement: A statement is true if it accurately reflects reality. This can be verified by evidence and observation.

* Example: The Earth is round.

3. Semantics:

* Well-Formed Statement: A statement is well-formed if it is grammatically correct and meaningful in the context of a language.

* Example: "The cat sat on the mat" is well-formed, while "The cat sat on the mat the" is not.

4. Pragmatics:

* Valid Conversation: A statement is considered valid in a conversation if it is appropriate, relevant, and contributes to the flow of the discussion.

* Example: If someone asks "What's the weather like?", a valid response would be "It's sunny and warm," rather than "I like pizza."

In summary:

* Logic: Validity depends on the logical connection between premises and conclusion.

* Truth: Validity depends on the statement's accuracy in reflecting reality.

* Semantics: Validity depends on the statement's grammatical correctness and meaningfulness.

* Pragmatics: Validity depends on the statement's appropriateness and relevance within a conversation.

It's important to note that a statement can be valid in one sense and invalid in another. For example, a statement can be logically valid but factually false.

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