PP201 Chapter 8: Chapter 8 PP201.docx
Document Summary
Arguments from analogy draw a conclusion about one thing by comparing it with another thing. The underlying principle is that similar cases should be treated similarly, or can be expected to behave similarly. An argument from analogy is also involved when something needs to be classified. We can argue about the category to which something belongs, and that will sometimes determine how it ought to be treated. Arguments from analogy not only help decide how something should be treated; they also help predict how something will behave. All arguments from analogy are based on similarities that are known to hold between the two things being compared. Sometimes similarities are stated explicitly, sometimes they are implicit. Primary subject the subject of the conclusion. Analogue what the primary subject is being compared to. Similarities the similarities that hold between the primary subject and analogue prior to conclusion.
