A valid argument is a logical structure where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. It focuses on the relationship between statements rather than the actual truth of the premises. For example, if we say, "All humans are mortal, and Socrates is a human, therefore Socrates is mortal," the conclusion follows logically from the premises. In formal logic, a valid argument does not guarantee that the premises are true, only that the conclusion logically follows. This concept is essential in fields like philosophy, mathematics, and computer science, where reasoning and deduction are crucial for problem-solving and analysis.