Judging Analogies

Chapter 12, Reasoning by Analogy, was very interesting. In the book, "Critical Thinking" by Richard L. Epstein, he provides more examples and definitions on how to reason in an argument. He also discusses techniques of how to identify and judge an analogy. Epstein explains in his examples that an analogy of an argument to another can be a great way to refute an argument and that just saying that one side of the analogy in an argument is like the other is too vague to be stated and used as the premise in an argument. Epstein provides a list of questions to ask when evaluating an analogy.

•  Is it an argument and does it have a conclusion?
• What is the comparison in the argument?
• What are the premises?
• What are the similarities in comparison to both sides?
• Can we state the similarities as premises and find a general principle?
• Does the general principle really apply to both sides? Does it make a difference?
• Is the argument strong or valid? Is it good?

I think by providing these questions, Epstein made it a very useful tool because he makes it easier to identity an analogy in an argument.


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