Open AccessA Defense of Non-deductive Reconstructions of Analogical Arguments (AILACT Essay Competition Winner)
Author(s) -
Marcello Guarini
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
informal logic
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.368
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2293-734X
pISSN - 0824-2577
DOI - 10.22329/il.v24i2.2141
Subject(s) - schema (genetic algorithms) , metaphysics , epistemology , argument (complex analysis) , analogical reasoning , deductive reasoning , strengths and weaknesses , philosophy , analogy , computer science , biochemistry , chemistry , machine learning
Bruce Waller has defended a deductive reconstruction of the kinds of analogical arguments found in ethics, law, and metaphysics. This paper demonstrates the limits of such a reconstruction and argues for an alternative. non-deductive reconstruction. It will be shown that some analogical arguments do not fit Waller's deductive schema, and that such a schema does not allow for an adequate account of the strengths and weaknesses of an analogical argument. The similarities and differences between the account defended herein and the Trudy Govier's account are discussed as well.