A Analog argument Or comparative argument is the simplest and commonly used form of inductive reasoning. It is based on the similarity of two elements to conclude that another element - whose characteristics are similar to those of these two elements - can also be similar to these.
Not all analogies are arguments, however, they are usually used to illustrate a belief within a discourse (Philosophy, 2013).
The analog argument is built on the premise that all the elements compared have something in common.
This is not to say that it can cover all the elements, but it can establish similarities among some properties of them (Kemerling, 2011).
For this reason, analogical arguments are also called comparative arguments, since they use the reasoning of previous or similar situations of relative validity to make comparisons between elements that share one or several characteristics (Lau & Chan, 2017).
Thus all analogical arguments have the same structure, they speak of the same property or properties of one or several elements.
Its veracity or falsity can be appealed since its validity is always relative and will depend on the logic of those who establish and evaluate it (RESOURCES, 2017).
Analog argument structure
The analog arguments have the following structure:
Two or more individuals share the same properties a and b. Most of these individuals also share the properties c and d. Therefore, the minority of these individuals must also share the properties c and d (Young, 2010).
This structure in context can be illustrated as follows:
Juan, Andrés, Pablo and Javier are all designers. Juan, Andrés and Pablo have tattoos all over their bodies. Then, as Javier is also a designer, he probably also has tattoos all over his body.
Examples of the analog or comparative argument
1 - Andrés built his house without inconveniences, therefore, it is probable that he can build any house without inconveniences.
2 - All women in the family like to live in the city, so my cousin Diana likes to live in the city.
3 - I played football at school, therefore, at 30 years of age I can play football professionally.
4 - All my friends liked the movie, so I'm going to like it too.
5 - He was bullfighter of small cows in his adolescence, therefore, in adulthood can bullfighting bulls.
6 - All Colombians dance salsa. If Juliana is Colombian, she must know how to dance salsa.
7 - Bob Marley was an excellent musician, his children must be equally good.
8 - I am very good with mathematics, therefore, I must be very good with physics.
9 - I have helped my mother so often with the kitchen, that now I can cook too.
10 - All my friends bought that car and loved it, so if I buy it, I'm going to love it too.
11 - If Juan, who does not know anything about music, became a successful singer, I do know music, I can also be a successful singer.
12 - Ana did not want to have children and now she is an excellent mother. Therefore, Daniela, who does want to have children, will be an excellent mother.
13 - Juan helped the architect with the plans of his house, therefore, Juan already knows how to make plans.
14 - Andrés likes all the Foo Fighters records, that means that he will like the album they released last week.
15 - When they were in school write a story, so, now I can become a writer.
16 - All my friends have been married at 27, so when I turn 27, I'm going to get married.
17 - When I was a child I saw how my father grew flowers, so when I grow up I can grow flowers.
18 - Jaime disarmed a mechanical watch, he can disarm anything.
19 - Daniela went to Brazil alone, she can travel anywhere in the world.
20 - If Paula and Andrés got a discount how much they bargained for, if I bargain, they will also give me a discount.
21 - If André spent 5 minutes in his car and was well, I'm sure that if I spent 20 minutes, it would be better.
22 - Patricia went to the party with sleep and had a good time. Antonia who is not sleepy, is going to be better than Patricia.
23 - I saw my dog's fingernails cut off, so I can do it too.
24 - As Jaime gave an injection to his dog, surely can also be put to people.
25 - If Tatiana who never studied journalism can write, I who am a journalist can do much better.
26 - As I sing in the shower, I can sing anywhere.
27 - Once I drove a car with three other people in it, therefore, I will be able to drive a passenger bus.
28 - As she knows how to cook Colombian food, she will not have problems preparing Argentine dishes.
29 - He was a teacher of children, so he will do well with adults.
30 - I sold lemonade during the summer, so I can sell stocks on the New York Stock Exchange.
31 - If she went up to Machu Picchu carrying 30 kilos, I can go up without problem because I am not loading anything.
32 - If a German learned Spanish in three months, then a Spaniard can learn German at the same time.
33 - If Sara at age 30 lost 15 kilos in a week, Daniela, who is younger, should lose the same weight in less time.
34 - When I was a child, I saw my father repair the car, so in adulthood I can be mechanical.
35 - Since I prepared that cake, now I can start my own pastry.
36 - I helped the doctor to suture a patient, so I can now suture.
37 - If my mom could prepare a dinner for 20 people in an hour, I can prepare one for 40 people in two hours.
38 - Hugo helped his dad to pack his suitcase, so Hugo already knows everything it takes to travel.
39 - If Andrea, who has no work experience, was able to find work in Buenos Aires. Mariana who is working 10 years ago will also find work.
40 - I saw how they gave the bottle to the baby, so I can give him the bottle.
References
- Kemerling, G. (2011). Philosophy Pages . From Analogy: philosophypages.com
- Lau, J., & Chan, J. (2017). Retrieved from"Analogical Arguments: philosophy.hku.hk."
- Philosophy, S.E. (June 25, 2013). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . Retrieved from"Analogy and Analogical Reasoning: plato.stanford.edu".
- RESOURCES, R. (2017). REASONING RESOURCES . Obtained from Analogical Argument: reasonresources.wordpress.com.
- Young, M.C. (2010). Mad Wizard . Retrieved from"Analogies, and Analogy Arguments: madwizard.com".