Skeptic’s Circle and Argument by Analogy
(Image from Vatanappally)
The 65th Skeptic’s Circle is up at NeuroLogica. There are some good articles about skepticism in general, and there are a few devoted specifically to the bad idea that won’t die: creationism.
My favorite article of the bunch is Skeptico’s Argument by Analogy:
An argument by analogy takes place when the arguer:
- Has a point to prove about something
- Gives you an analogy for the thing
- Points out that the analog contains the feature they are trying to prove exists in the original
- Concludes the feature in the analog must also exist in the original.
The flaw is simple: the analogy always breaks down somewhere. If the analogy breaks down, the conclusion the arguer is trying to draw from the analogy just doesn’t follow. That’s all there is to it.
Go check out the 65th Skeptic’s Circle, and don’t miss Skeptico’s article.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Just getting the word out.
I love your blog.