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...logical validity is not a guarantee of truth.
David Foster Wallace
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Logical validity does not ensure that something is true; it means it follows a structure that makes it coherent.

This quote by David Foster Wallace suggests that just because an argument is logically sound does not necessarily mean the conclusion it leads to is true. It emphasizes the distinction between valid reasoning and factual accuracy, reminding us that logical structures can be applied to false premises or assumptions, leading to incorrect conclusions despite their internal coherence.

Themes

Logical ValidityTruthReasoningPhilosophyFallacy

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about ethics, one might refer to this quote to highlight how valid arguments can still reach incorrect conclusions.

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