Thoughts About the Effectiveness of Analogies?

[Hosnon]

My thoughts on analogies and their use:

Inherent in the definition of an analogy is the absence of identity. For a person to compare a thing with itself yields nothing new. When an analogy is employed, the two things are, by definition, different.

As a result, analogies are immediately suspect as tools of argumentation.

The more closely that the characteristics being compared relate to the characteristics which form the basis of the analogy (the assumption being that they are equal), the more relevant and effective the analogy.

Thoughts?

(Let's see how GD does)

[Jed Dilligan]

1. Role of analogy is like metaphor

We use it to make the unfamiliar familiar. For example, if the movement of bodies in a distant galaxy resembles a flushing toilet, the analogy may help us visualize what we have not seen and may have difficulty imagining.

The danger comes when we use synecdoche in the context of analogy--substitution of the part for the whole. Saddam Hussein targeted ethnic groups and Hitler targeted ethnic groups, therefore Saddam Hussein is Hitler. Instead of helping us imagine something by comparing it to something more familiar, we sweep aside our unfamiliarity by claiming it doesn't exist. "Oh, I know that guy, he's Hitler." By this form of illogic anything can be transformed into anything else and the truth is subject to unlimited manipulation.

[unpossibles]

2. that argument is about as useful as a bike to a fish.

oh wait. sorry.

I'm ready to go home now....

seriously though, I think analogies (and metaphors) exist because we sometimes need to compare something new to something known and understandable. It takes a certain amount of mental ability to follow them, and not get hung up in the details of difference (which as you state, are essentially going to be inherent), much like satire is lost on some people. So I suppose you're right - to reach the widest audience and avoid haggling over smaller details, we should avoid analogies like the plague.

[leftofthedial]

3. making an analogy

is like painting a picture of your house instead of painting your house

[civildisoBDence]

6. Now that's a funny analogy

Very clever--but who doesn't like a pretty picture of a house?

In rhetorical theory, analogical reasoning is perfectly appropriate as long as the two things being compared are similar enough to shed light, one on the other. If not, you've committed the logical fallacy of the false analogy.

Analogies can be very powerful when the comparison casts something in a new light. Lippmann compared the press to spotlights that shine on only a few things in an otherwise dark universe, of which we know only our own tiny corner. Jesus and Buddah compared spirituality to light, hence, "enlightened" ones. Jim Morrison sang, "Come on baby light my fire" (a blueish analogy) and Jerry Lee Lewis sang "Great Balls of Fire" (oops, no analogy there...)

Analogies are the spice of persuasion--just don't overuse them.

Speaking of metaphors:
S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the truth, so you get more

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Analogies are like falafel.

Or maybe more like a goldfish.

Yeah, that's it. A goldfish.

[Ignoramus]

5. All communication is analogy

Analogy is how thought is formed. So, it is essential and not possible to avoid.

[karlrschneider]

7. Not sure what you're asking; analogies are extremely useful when

properly stated, whether pedagogically or argumentatively. I think they are too often confused with
similes, metaphors and other figurative speech - and frequently all those are tossed into a bag
sometimes along with hyperbole, irony, and sarcasm into which some writers reach and just pick one
without much regard to precision of application.

I believe your claim that they are "suspect as tools of argumentation" is correct in some cases, but I don't see why that is a problem unless you think the recipient is likely to be averse to the proposition advanced.

edit: clarification

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

8. This Thread Makes About As Much Sense As A Green Running For Office.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Well, I knew this guy once....

Isn't that always how misleading and biased stories start? And it's a favorite trick of RW apologists.