invalid premises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invalid premises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about logic, arguments, or reasoning to indicate that the foundational statements or assumptions are flawed or incorrect. Example: "The conclusion drawn from the argument is not valid because it is based on invalid premises."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doing this, one may may say that the argument is invalid, having true premises but a false conclusion.

SEP

The second of these is inconsistent with Aristotle's use: since he defines a sullogismos as an argument in which the conclusion results of necessity from the premises, "invalid sullogismos" is a contradiction in terms.

SEP

(Of course, there further two alternatives are crucial to Lewis' overall analysis of the passage: essentially, Lewis suggests that Anselm equivocates between an invalid argument with plausible premises and a valid argument with question-begging premises. In this respect, Lewis' analysis is quite different from the other analyses currently under discussion).

SEP

Moreover, modern usage distinguishes between valid syllogisms (the conclusions of which follow from their premises) and invalid syllogisms (the conclusions of which do not follow from their premises).

SEP

As Reid (1983, pp. 178 9) observes, the argument from (1) and (2) to (3) is invalid, since the first premise speaks of apparent change, whereas the second premise concerns actual change.

SEP

However, Aristotle states his results not by saying that certain premise-conclusion combinations are invalid but by saying that certain premise pairs do not "syllogize": that is, that, given the pair in question, examples can be constructed in which premises of that form are true and a conclusion of any of the four possible forms is false.

SEP

This premise is invalid if patients refill their medication, particularly in the case of low out-of-pocket costs, but are reluctant regarding intake.

BMC Cancer

And wouldn't it be obviously invalid to conclude from the same premises that contemplating Michelangelo's David would be bad?

SEP

Opponents reply that this argument is invalid; it is possible for the premises to be true even though the conclusion is false.

SEP

Experiments advocating unrestrained proteolysis as a cause or pathogenic factor are invalid, being based on a false premise and assumed causality.

Experimental and Molecular Pathology

If Pseudo-Scotus' argument is invalid, it is possible for the premise to be true and conclusion false.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clarify each premise to ensure precise understanding and avoid ambiguity, which can inadvertently lead to "invalid premises".

Common error

Avoid assuming premises are valid simply because they align with personal beliefs. Conduct thorough research and critical analysis to confirm the accuracy and relevance of each premise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invalid premises" functions as a noun phrase, where "invalid" is an adjective modifying the noun "premises". It typically serves as a subject complement or object in sentences discussing logical arguments or reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "invalid premises" refers to flawed or incorrect foundational statements in an argument. Although Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable, it is considered "Missing" in common usage due to the limited number of real-world examples found in the search data. It is most commonly found in formal, academic, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity and impact, consider related phrases such as "false assumptions" or "unsound foundation". When constructing arguments, always verify the validity of your premises to ensure the soundness of your conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false assumptions

Emphasizes the incorrect nature of the underlying assumptions.

unsound foundation

Highlights the weakness or instability of the basis upon which something is built.

flawed reasoning

Focuses on the defects in the thought process leading to a conclusion.

incorrect starting points

Points to the inaccuracy of the initial premises.

erroneous presuppositions

Stresses the mistaken nature of the prior beliefs or assumptions.

unjustified claims

Indicates that the claims lack adequate support or evidence.

weak arguments

Suggests the arguments are not logically strong or convincing.

faulty basis

Highlights the defectiveness of the underlying support or justification.

specious reasoning

Highlights that the reasoning is deceptively attractive or plausible.

tenuous grounds

Suggests the grounds are flimsy and not solid.

FAQs

How can I identify "invalid premises" in an argument?

Carefully examine each premise for accuracy, relevance, and consistency. Look for evidence that contradicts the premise or questions its validity. Consider whether the premise is based on assumptions or biases.

What happens if an argument contains "invalid premises"?

If an argument contains "invalid premises", the conclusion is not guaranteed to be true, even if the argument's structure is logically valid. The argument is considered unsound.

What are some alternatives to saying "invalid premises"?

You can use alternatives like "false assumptions", "unsound foundation", or "flawed reasoning" depending on the context.

How do "invalid premises" differ from a logical fallacy?

"Invalid premises" refer to the truthfulness of the foundational statements, while a logical fallacy is an error in the reasoning process itself. An argument can have true premises but still contain a fallacy, or it can have "invalid premises" and be free of fallacies in its structure.