Which aspect of an argument does the term 'sound' imply?

The term 'sound' in the context of an argument specifically refers to two key criteria: the argument must be valid, and all of its premises must be true. When an argument is deemed sound, it assures not only that the logical structure is intact—meaning that if the premises are true, the conclusion must logically follow—but also that the premises themselves are genuinely accurate representations of reality.

This definition elucidates why the statement regarding all premises being true and valid is the correct understanding of a sound argument. If even one premise is false or if the argument is not valid, the argument cannot be sound. Soundness thus combines both validity and factual truth, reinforcing the reliability of the conclusion derived from the argument.