Analogies Flashcards
There are two different types of analogies, what are they?
Type A: Compares two different things
Type B: Compares a previous experience with a new similar experience
What is an analogy
An analogy is a perceived similarity between two things.
To judge the strength of an analogy, we evaluate the following.
- The extent and variety of the sample.
- Does the conclusion claim too much?
- Is there a relevant and significant dissimilarity between the 2 things that are being compared?
- Construct a counter example.
What is a generalisation?
A generalisation argues from evidence about some to make a generalisation about all.
Proportional Generalisation
A proportional generalisation argues that because a certain proportion of a sample group has characteristic X,the same proportion of the population (whole group) will have characteristic X.
Universal generalisation
Claims that what is true about a sample is true about the whole group.
Assessing Generalisations
- How large is the sample?
- how much variety is in the sample?
- How large is the claim in the conclusion relative to the evidence?
- How suitable is the argued property for generalisation?