What is logical validity and how is validity determined in a formal argument

Question

I’m in a Logic class and this seems like a really simple concept but all the explanations given are so wordy that I can’t wrap my head around it.

In: Other

Answer 1

Formal logic has specific structures for an argument. As an example, one of them is the following:

If P, then q
P
Therefore, q.

No matter what you substitute for p and q, the argument is valid because it follows that structure.

However, an argument can be valid, but not cogent in formal Logic. So if my dog is outside, then it will rain. It is a valid argument, but it is not cogent because it does not always rain when my dog is outside.