Argument from analogy
What Argument from analogy means in Philosophy A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Argument from analogy
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Reference: AQA
Reasoning from human artefacts to the universe, treating the universe as like a machine made by a human craftsman.
Reasons that because two cases share relevant features, what holds for one likely holds for the other.
An inductive inference from resemblance between the universe and human-made machines or artefacts.
Topics that use Argument from analogy
- Arguments relating to the existence of God (AQA A-Level)
- Subject content: Language of argumentation (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Actual versus potential infinity
- Agency and causation as the distinguishing criterion
- Analogical and inductive reasoning
- Anselm's argument and its revival by Malcolm
- Argument versus assertion and rhetoric
- Atemporal causation
- Circularity
- Cleanthes's design inference
Using Argument from analogy in the exam
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