Argument strength and cogency – UGC NET Question

Statements A, C and E are correct, while B and D are false. A cogent argument is by definition a strong inductive argument with true premises, so B mislabels weak arguments as cogent merely because their conclusion happens to be true. Soundness is defined for deductive arguments, not inductive ones, so D is also incorrect. A valid argument with false premises can be unsound, which C correctly notes, and UGC NET reasoning requires keeping these concepts distinct, which E expresses. Hence A, C, E only form the correct set.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits E, ignoring the exam-specific requirement that candidates differentiate these notions. A, C only therefore does not fully address the focus of the question.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it gathers the true definitional and exam-related statements while excluding B and D, which distort the ideas of cogency and soundness. This matches how standard logic texts and UGC NET materials treat the concepts.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because it adds B to the otherwise correct set, thereby endorsing the possibility of a weak argument being cogent merely on the basis of a true conclusion. A, B, C, E only thus includes a false statement.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it includes D, which misdefines soundness, and omits A, which correctly characterises cogent inductive arguments. C, D, E only fails to capture all correct statements and mixes in an error.