One can entertain arguments as legitimate while rejecting their conclusions as unjustified.

Evidence

Thus, I am prepared to entertain a great many arguments I do not endorse as legitimate; and indeed, I am able to criticize such arguments precisely because the various modalities of argument give me standards by — Philip Chase Bobbitt, Reflections Inspired by My Critics, 452

Categorization

• SEED: Essay angle: the practical payoff of treating legitimacy and justification as separable — how it lets one engage serious opposing positions without conceding correctness.
• XREF: connects to: Thus, I am prepared to entertain a great many arguments I do not endorse as legitimate; and indeed, I am able to criticize such arguments precisely because the various modalities of argument give me standards by which to do so.; Aquinas selects rational arguments to justify foregone religious conclusions. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1751; A critic’s flawed work can still catalyze clarifying one’s own thinking. — bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as…, 166

Related

• Thus, I am prepared to entertain a great many arguments I do not endorse as legitimate; and indeed, I am able to criticize such arguments precisely because the various modalities of argument give… (similarity 0.94)