Analogy
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.
Contents
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.
Relation between source and target
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.
Problem solving
Analogy plays a significant role in problem solving.
Related topics include:
- [[Decision making]
- Perception
- Memory
- Creativity
- Emotion
- Explanation
- Communication
Face perception
It lies behind basic tasks such as the identification of places, objects and people, for example, in face perception and facial recognition systems.
(TO DO: cross-reference excerpt from Snowcrash.)
Elements of analogical language
Specific analogical language comprises:
Analogical phrases
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.
Importance of analogy
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
Conceptual metaphor
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
- Design
- Design pattern
- Golden ratio
- Pattern language
- Problem solving
- Proportionality (mathematics)
- Recursion
- Representation
- Satire
External links
- Analogy @ Wikipedia
