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Fallacies from Chapter 5 - 5469

Questionable Analogy

Definition Model for Questionable Analogy

Fallacy	Questionable analogy
Short Definition	doubtful comparison
Long Definition	Use of analogy where the cases are relevantly different
Form	A is comparable to B A is similar to B
Keywords	like, compare, similar, comparable
How to Explain	Point out the relevant differences
Example	If I were the president then I'd be like a mechanic who's under the hood, working on the engine

Notes on Questionable Analogy

1. An analogy is a comparison between two things. We use analogies to explain or describe things because analogies try to give us a clear, clean image to tie into. Sometimes analogies help us to come up with new and interesting ideas.

2. The fallacy of questionable analogy is the use of an analogy where the cases are relevantly different. When reasoning by analogy, the fallacy occurs when the analogy is irrelevant or very weak.

3. You've probably heard the expression "You're comparing apples to oranges". This is slang meaning your analogy is questionable. The similarity between an apple and an orange is that they are both types of fruit. The relevant differences involve taste, texture, acidity, etc.

4. There are two types of analogies, namely, illustrative and demonstrative analogies. An illustrative analogy is given to merely stress one or more similar characteristics between two things. A demonstrative analogy involves an argument from analogy, that is, if two things have similar characteristics and one has an additional characteristic then the other probably has that characteristic also. We will discuss these in more detail in the presentaion on analogies.

5. Note that if an analogy compares living to non-living matter then it is always a questionable analogy because being alive vs. being dead is a very relevant difference.

7. Questionable Analogy on the Internet

Examples of Questionable Analogy

1. Perot: "If I were the president then I'd be like a mechanic who's under the hood, working on the engine".

Analysis: Questionable analogy because of the relevant differences between a car and a country. The things that a mechanic tinkers with under a hood can be complicated, but not willful. They do not talk back or have interests, convictions, yearnings, or whims.