Difference between revisions of "Analogy"

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Analogy (from Greek ἀναλογία, analogia, "proportion") is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another (the target), or a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process.

Description

In a narrower sense, analogy is an inference or an argument from one particular to another particular, as opposed to deduction, induction, and abduction, where at least one of the premises or the conclusion is general.

The word analogy can also refer to the relation between the source and the target themselves, which is often, though not necessarily, a similarity, as in the biological notion of analogy.

Analogy plays a significant role in problem solving such as, decision making, perception, memory, creativity, emotion, explanation and communication.

It lies behind basic tasks such as the identification of places, objects and people, for example, in face perception and facial recognition systems.

It has been argued that analogy is "the core of cognition".

Specific analogical language comprises:

• Exemplification
• Comparisons
• Metaphors
• Similes
• Allegories
• Parables
• But not metonymy

Phrases like and so on, and the like, as if, and the very word like also rely on an analogical understanding by the receiver of a message including them.

Analogy is important not only in ordinary language and common sense (where proverbs and idioms give many examples of its application) but also in science, philosophy and the humanities.

Related concepts include:

• Association
• Comparison
• Correspondence
• Mathematical and morphological homology
• Momomorphism
• Iconicity
• Isomorphism
• Metaphor
• Resemblance
• Similarity

In cognitive linguistics, the notion of conceptual metaphor may be equivalent to that of analogy.

History

Analogy has been studied and discussed since classical antiquity by philosophers, scientists and lawyers.

The last few decades have shown a renewed interest in analogy, most notably in cognitive science.

See also

• Proportionality

External links

• Analogy @ Wikipedia