Suppose you know of an argument only that it is valid and has a true conclusion. What, if anything, can you tell about its premises? (Defend your answer, including examples.)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is You can't tell anything about its premises. For instance, the valid argument "If Socrates is a man then Socrates is mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal", has a true conclusion and all true premises. But the valid argument "If Koko (the gorilla) is a man, then Koko is mortal. Koko is a man. Therefore, Koko is mortal", has a true conclusion, and one true and one false premise.

Suppose You Know of an Argument Only That It Is