Strong Arguments versus Valid Arguments

A strong argument according to our class textbook “Critical Thinking” by Richard L. Epstein, is defined as, “if there is some way, some possibility, for its premises to be true and its conclusion false (at the same time)…” (40). In other words a strong argument is not based on the premises of being true or false, however of how the individual presents it with facts.
An example of a strong argument would be, lets take the famous societal norm that the top schools in California are Stanford and Cal Berkeley. It is known that Stanford and Cal Berkeley are known for having the top graduates out of any college in California because not only do both schools offer the top notch of an education but they promise their high standards and expectations they have for each student, will help each individual to exceed in society and have the type of education other colleges cannot compete with nor have the capability of offering.

A valid argument according to Epstein is, “an argument in which it is impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false (at the same time)”(399). In other words, what makes an argument valid is that the premises of the argument and conclusion must both be true or accurate.
An example of a valid argument would be, in reference to the top schools in California being Stanford and Berkeley because of their high standards, and top education, that makes them to be one of the highest ranked colleges in this state. In which a lot of their graduates may become the next CEO’s of the most well known corporations in this generation and future ones to come.