True vs. Valid — What's the Difference?

True is a term often used to describe statements, facts, or propositions that correspond with actual conditions, situations, or states of affairs. It's about factual accuracy and reality alignment. Valid, however, pertains to the field of logic, describing arguments where if the premises are assumed to be true, then the conclusion necessarily follows. This does not necessarily mean the premises or the conclusion are true in a factual sense, but rather that the argument's structure is logically correct.

The concept of truth is applicable in various contexts, including everyday language, science, and philosophy, indicating congruence with the facts or reality. Validity, on the other hand, is specifically a property of logical and mathematical arguments, focusing on the form of the argument rather than the factual accuracy of its components.

A statement being true is independent of any argumentative structure; it stands on its own as an accurate reflection of reality. In contrast, an argument's validity is determined by its logical structure, independent of the actual truth or falsity of its premises or conclusion. An argument can be valid with false premises and a false conclusion, as long as the logical structure holds that the conclusion follows from the premises.

For instance, the statement "The Earth revolves around the Sun" is true because it accurately describes our planetary system. However, the argument "If the Earth is flat (premise), then it does not revolve around the Sun (conclusion)" is valid in form because if one accepts the premise, the conclusion logically follows, despite the premise being factually incorrect.

The distinction highlights the importance of both truth and validity in understanding and communicating accurately. True statements are essential for factual correctness, while valid arguments are crucial for logical coherence and sound reasoning, especially in philosophical discussions and logical analysis.