Analogy, by definition is the understanding of a known or an unknown object or person by comparing it to a well known or universal symbol. Such as to compare liberal for deceit.
Despite that in science an analogy is considered a legitimate device in process of searching for scientific explanation of phenomena under investigation (i.e. it has a legitimate heuristic use),[1] it cannot serve as proof.[2] Analogies are also suggestive; however the suggestions they make are often the source of errors which would otherwise have been avoided.[1] Darwin has been often criticised for using the argument from analogy[3] as substitute for scientific observation. From analogy he moved to using metaphor (poetic device)[note 1] and imaginary examples such as an absurd and fantastic transformation from bears into whalelike animals owing to insects in the water functioning as the selector in the environment.[4]
It is sometimes difficult to diagnose exactly what an analogy is. Sometimes you will be confused as to whether you have a simple comparison, or an actual analogy. For instance, to say that you have a bike, which is like your friend's bike. This is a comparison, because you're not describing a different type of object to your bike, but instead, comparing your bike to another like object.
Now, an analogy would be to say that an airsoft gun is like a real gun, except that it shoots plastic pellets instead of lead bullets like a gun should.
Categories: [Philosophy] [Literary Devices] [Methodology of Science] [Rhetoric]