Fallacy? Or Interpretation?
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Original Question
1. A book from 5th century claims that iron was sent down.
2. His followers said that it is reffering to iron coming from space.
3. When asked why it should be that case they told that when you reffer to largest country in the world you tell its russia. And if a book says that iron was sent down it reffers to iron coming from outer space
4. Therefore, we must believe that 5th century book mentioned iron coming from space.
Answers
1It might be argued that Item 3 is a weak analogy.
If I interpret the point of the OP correctly I see this to be the issue: Is making an assumption/inference based on common knowledge ("largest country," therefore Russia), analogous to making an assumption (inference) from a vague reference in a book (the book made a statement that iron was sent down, therefore the book said it was from space).
What is the relevant comparison: (1) That each is making an assumption, or (2) comparing a vague reference in a book to common knowledge? I believe that the strength of the argument depends on how convinced we are that common knowledge is similar to unclear statements in books. An obviously suspect comparison in my view.
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