False Analogy

Definition:

In an analogy, two objects (or events), A and B are shown to be similar. Then it is argued that since A has property P, so also B must have property P. An analogy fails when the two objects, A and B, are different in a way which affects whether they both have property P.

Examples:

• (i) Employees are like nails. Just as nails must be hit in the head in order to make them work, so must employees.

• (ii) Government is like business, so just as business must be a money-making enterprise, so also must government. (But the objectives of government and business are completely different, so they will have to meet different criteria.)

Proof:

Identify the two objects or events being compared and the property which both are said to possess. Show that the two objects are different in a way which will affect whether they both have that property.

References:

Barker: 192, Cedarblom and Paulsen: 257, Davis: 84

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