In the reading, “Argument from Analogy”, which of the following is NOT an example used to illustrate arguments from analogy?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. The similarity between a human and a machine.
In the reading “Argument from Analogy,” arguments from analogy are used to compare two things that are similar in certain ways to argue that they are similar in other aspects as well. The examples typically illustrate how one thing can be understood in terms of another based on similarities between them. Let’s break down the other options to see why they might be examples used to illustrate this argument:
- A. The similarity between a watch and the solar system: This example is commonly used to explain an argument from analogy. The comparison is made between a watch’s intricate gears and the movements of celestial bodies in the solar system, both of which work together in a systematic, coordinated way. The argument suggests that if we understand the parts of a watch, we can understand the operation of the solar system.
- B. The similarity between a car engine and a heart: In this example, the analogy is used to compare the way a car engine operates to the functioning of the human heart. Both are central to the operation of larger systems (a car and the human body) and involve processes like circulating fluids (fuel and blood). The analogy can be used to argue that understanding one system helps us understand the other.
- C. The similarity between a computer and the human brain: This is another common analogy used to illustrate arguments. The comparison is made between a computer’s processing of data and the human brain’s processing of information. Just as a computer receives, processes, and outputs information, the human brain similarly receives sensory data, processes it, and drives responses. The analogy highlights similarities in function but may diverge when it comes to complexity and nature.
- D. The similarity between a human and a machine: While this comparison can be made, it is more general and not often used as a direct example in an argument from analogy. The main issue with this is that the analogy between humans and machines is often criticized for being too broad or for missing crucial differences, making it less effective in illustrating a detailed argument. Machines do not replicate human consciousness or emotion, and such a comparison tends to oversimplify the complexities of human behavior and cognition.
In conclusion, while an analogy between humans and machines can be discussed in many contexts, it is not typically used as a core example in arguments from analogy since the comparison lacks the depth and clarity of more specific and nuanced examples.