Final answer:
The statement acknowledges that a conclusion can be believable even with fallacious reasoning, but this does not make the argument logically valid. Fallacies impair the structural integrity of arguments, and even with valid logic, false premises can lead to incorrect conclusions. Thus, both sound logic and true premises are essential for a truly valid argument.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Even though your argument contains a fallacy, your conclusion is believable" makes sense because it recognizes that an argument can be persuasive or seem credible even if it is logically flawed. This can occur for a number of reasons, including the presence of true premises that appear to support the conclusion, or because the conclusion aligns with commonly held beliefs or anecdotal evidence.
However, this does not mean the argument itself is valid. The presence of a fallacy indicates a break in the logical structure that invalidates the argument, despite the conclusion's believability.
A good argument requires both valid logic and true premises. When fallacies are present, such as emotional appeals or fallacies of relevance, they distract from the logical assessment of the argument.
These fallacies can lead to conclusions that align with expectations or prejudices, making them seem believable even if they are not logically justified. However, it is important to ensure that arguments are not only persuasive but also logically sound.
Conversely, an argument can contain a valid logical form (good deductive reasoning) and still lead to a false conclusion if the premises are untrue.
Therefore, correct reasoning is not only about the structure of the argument (avoiding formal fallacies) but also about the truthfulness of the premises. To assess whether a conclusion is likely true, we not only evaluate the logic but also scrutinize the premises for their accuracy and relevancy to the conclusion.