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Question About Examples of Extended Analogy

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Original Question

The book gives this Logical Form for Extended Analogy:


"A is like B in some way.  C is like B in a different way.  Therefore, A is like C."


I don't see how the two examples given in the book follow that pattern.  What are A,B & C in each example?


Can someone give a different example that follows the pattern and identify A, B & C?


 

Answers

1

Here is a summary of Example 2 on the website:


P1. Thinking the atom was the smallest particle was a mistake of science.


P2. Evolution is also a mistake of science.


C. Therefore, science thinking the atom was the smallest particle is like science thinking evolution is true.


In terms of A, B, and C:


A is like B = (A), thinking the atom was the smallest is (B), a mistake in science.


C  is like B = (C), Evolution is science, and is (B), a mistake in science.


A is like C = Therefore, (C), evolution, must be like (A), thinking the atom is the smallest because both are mistakes in science, i.e. sharing (B) in common.

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