Faulty Analogy Fallacy Maddie Mount

Definition This fallacy comes from assuming that because two things are alike in one way, they are alike in another way

Equation X has property Y Z is like X Z therefore has property Y Example: A blue bird has wings. A dolphin is blue, just like a bluebird. Therefore a dolphin also has wings.

What affects faulty Analogy The amount and variety of examples in the analogy The number of characteristics that the things being compared share The relevance of the known similarities to the similarity inferred in the conclusion

Proof Identify the two objects or events being compared and the property which both are said to possess. Show that the two objects are different in a way which will affect whether they both have that property.

Examples How is a raven like a writing desk? Poe wrote on both People who buy stocks are no different from people who bet on horses. They both risk their money with little chance of making a big profit