A valid deductive argument usually exhibits what characteristic regarding its premises?

Study for the Western Governors University (WGU) PHIL1020 D265 Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence Exam. Engage with multiple-choice questions, gain insights, and prepare for success!

A valid deductive argument is structured in such a way that if the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily follow. Characteristically, all the premises must collectively support the conclusion, forming a cohesive logical framework. This means that the conjunction of all premises provides the basis for arriving at the conclusion, ensuring that the argument is sound and logically consistent.

When each premise is relevant and contributes to the conclusion, it reinforces the argument's validity. If even one premise fails to support the conclusion, the argument risks becoming invalid, leading to the possibility that the conclusion could be false even if the premises are true. Thus, the requirement that all premises support the conclusion together is essential to maintaining the deductive integrity of the argument, demonstrating how the structure is dependent on the interaction of the premises to reach a valid conclusion.

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