LessonsAnalogy: Original and New Cases, Common Cause, Co-variation and EliminationQuiz

Suppose a rod made of a particular metal expands when heated under suitable conditions. A second rod is made of the same metal and is heated under corresponding conditions.

Original: first rod.
New case: second rod.
Judgment: expansion when heated.
Unifying feature: the same relevant metallic and thermal property.

The inference is stronger when we also check differences in construction, temperature, and other relevant factors. Good analogy considers both shared and differing features.

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Worked analogy with a relevant feature

Analogy: Original and New Cases, Common Cause, Co-variation and Elimination

Suppose a rod made of a particular metal expands when heated under suitable conditions. A second rod is made of the same metal and is heated under corresponding conditions.

Original: first rod.
New case: second rod.
Judgment: expansion when heated.
Unifying feature: the same relevant metallic and thermal property.

The inference is stronger when we also check differences in construction, temperature, and other relevant factors. Good analogy considers both shared and differing features.