Soundness

In logic, more precisely in deductive reasoning, an argument is sound if it is both valid in form and its premises are true.[1] Soundness also has a related meaning in mathematical logic, wherein logical systems are sound if and only if every formula that can be proved in the system is logically valid with respect to the semantics of the system.

1 Definition

In deductive reasoning, a sound argument is an argument that is valid and all of its premises are true (and as a consequence its conclusion is true as well). An argument is valid if, assuming its premises are true, the conclusion must be true. An example of a sound argument is the following well-known syllogism:

(premises)
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
(conclusion)
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Because of the logical necessity of the conclusion, this argument is valid; and because the argument is valid and its premises are true, the argument is sound.

However, an argument can be valid without being sound. For example:

All birds can fly.
Penguins are birds.
Therefore, penguins can fly.
This argument is valid as the conclusion must be true assuming the premises are true. However, the first premise is false. Not all birds can fly (for example, penguins). For an argument to be sound, the argument must be valid and its premises must be true.[2]

2 Use in mathematical logic

2.1 Logical systems

2.1.1 Soundness

2.1.2 Strong soundness

2.1.3 Arithmetic soundness

2.2 Relation to completeness

3 See also