Philosophy Informal Logic Questions Long
There are several main types of informal fallacies based on analogy. These fallacies occur when an argument relies on an analogy between two or more things, but the analogy is flawed or weak. Here are some of the main types:
1. False Analogy: This fallacy occurs when an argument draws an analogy between two things that are not actually comparable. The two things being compared may have significant differences that make the analogy invalid. For example, arguing that because a car requires regular maintenance, a computer should also require regular maintenance, is a false analogy because cars and computers have different mechanisms and requirements.
2. Weak Analogy: This fallacy occurs when an argument relies on an analogy that is too weak to support the conclusion being drawn. The analogy may have some similarities, but they are not strong enough to justify the conclusion. For example, arguing that because a cat can jump high, a dog should also be able to jump high, is a weak analogy because cats and dogs have different physical abilities.
3. Fallacy of Composition: This fallacy occurs when an argument assumes that what is true for the parts is also true for the whole. It assumes that if certain characteristics or properties are true for individual elements, they must also be true for the entire group or system. For example, arguing that because each player on a basketball team is tall, the entire team must be tall, is a fallacy of composition because the height of individual players does not necessarily determine the height of the whole team.
4. Fallacy of Division: This fallacy occurs when an argument assumes that what is true for the whole is also true for the parts. It assumes that if certain characteristics or properties are true for the entire group or system, they must also be true for the individual elements. For example, arguing that because a country has a high GDP, every citizen in that country must be wealthy, is a fallacy of division because the wealth of the country as a whole does not necessarily reflect the wealth of every individual.
5. Cherry Picking: This fallacy occurs when an argument selectively chooses examples or evidence that support a particular conclusion, while ignoring or disregarding other relevant examples or evidence that may contradict it. It is a form of biased reasoning that distorts the analogy being made. For example, arguing that because a few successful entrepreneurs dropped out of college, everyone should drop out of college to be successful, is cherry picking because it ignores the majority of entrepreneurs who did not drop out of college.
These are some of the main types of informal fallacies based on analogy. It is important to recognize and avoid these fallacies in order to construct valid and sound arguments.