Soundness
A proof theory is sound if whenever (proof) then (truth/valid).
Notation reminder
From Logic:
- → Proof Theory, pronounced “proves”
- → Semantics, pronounced “entails” / “valid” / “semantic entailment”
Algorithm
From F1TENTH, an algorithm is complete if:
- it terminates in finite time, and
- it returns a solution when one exists, and failure otherwise
This sounds awfully like Total Correctness in SE212.
Soundness in argumentation
In informal logic, a deductively sound argument is both:
- Valid in form, AND
- Has all true premises
A sound argument’s conclusion must be true: you reject it on pain of irrationality. This is the gold standard for arguments.
Contrast with Cogency, the analogous standard for ampliative (non-deductive) arguments.