Analogies and Reason

An analogy is used to paint a picture and to create the impression that two things that may not be significantly alike, are similar.  Normally, the comparison chosen is a good comparison.  Say the suggestion had been made to take apples on a picnic.  The argument might go like this:  "Let's take oranges on the picnic. Oranges are like apples, they're both fruit."  Yes, they are. But there's a reason we decided on apples.  The task of the rebutter is to find the difference between the two items that is significant to the choice.  "Oranges are messier on a picnic - and I don't have any moist towelettes."

The more unexpected and the more complex the reasoning chain, the more difficult it is to come up with an appropriate response.   Sometimes, the receiver of an analogy can be at a loss for words, sorting through all the ways the two items are alike and different. "Historical analogies are a variety of analogy often used by politicians and diplomats to explain or make a prediction about a current or future event based on events in the past. The past event is used as a source, while the present or future situation is the target of the analogy." (http://www.diplomacy.edu/language/Analogies/analogies-in-diplomacy.htm  retrieved 7/19/10)

"This is just like the time that Suzan was mad at her friend Jennifer. When Jenn tried to apologize, Sue really took advantage. You better stand your ground."  This type of analogy refers to an event in the past that might have had very different antecedents and the players may have very different characteristics.  None the less, it seems true because the memory is shared - and the circumstance may be similar on the surface. If you give the apology, will you be taken advantage of?  How alike are the situations? Does Suzan feel the same way about you that she felt about Jennifer? How important is the relationship? This requires a lot of analysis.