2). Discuss Strong versus Valid Arguments in detail. Give an example of each from everyday life.
For an argument to be good it must contain three parts: the premises are plausible, the premises are more plausible than the conclusion, and the argument is valid or strong (p. 42, Epstein).
A Strong Argument is when there is a possibility for the premises to be true and its conclusion to be false (co-existing), but is unlikely. For example, I do not like chocolate ice cream. Therefore, I will buy vanilla ice cream for the family. The premises is true while the conclusion can be false because either the rest of the family does like chocolate ice cream so I may just buy chocolate ice cream and not be selfish or I could buy a totally different flavor from chocolate and vanilla.
A Valid Argument is when the proposition argument is completely false while the argument being made is true. For example, Students need to pay for parking to park in the 10th street garage. I park in the 10th street garage. Therefore, I paid for parking. This is a valid argument because the premises to be true and my conclusion to be false.
While the statements or premise of an argument makes it or breaks your argument, the example you gave for strong arguments was good. You have a premise that can make your conclusion believable, a good link. Yet, with just you conclusion alone is weak and doesn't have direct support, which you have stated.
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