What is the main criterion for a valid deductive argument?

A valid deductive argument is defined by its structure rather than the truth of its premises. The main criterion is that if the premises are true, then the conclusion must necessarily follow. This means that a valid deductive argument has a form that guarantees the truth of the conclusion based on the premises provided.

In this case, option A highlights that the premises must lead to a true conclusion, capturing the essence of validity in the context of deductive reasoning. Understanding validity in this way emphasizes the logical relationship between premises and conclusion, rather than the actual truth value of the premises themselves.

The other options do not align with the principles of deductive reasoning. Promoting vague and abstract premises would actually undermine clarity and logical progression (as noted in option B). Option C misunderstands the nature of valid deductive reasoning; conclusions should logically follow from the premises, not be categorized as specific or general. Lastly, option D suggests that the complexity of vocabulary plays a role in the validity of an argument, which is not relevant in determining whether a deductive argument is valid or not. Thus, the correct understanding centers around the logical structure that dictates how premises lead to conclusions.