The term analogy comes from the Greek and means the relationship of similarity or comparison between two things that are different. It means then that when two elements or principles are associated by their properties, both general and individual, we would be talking about analogy. The analogy makes it possible to carry out inductive reasoning, since if it is determined that two or more elements are similar, it is very likely that more similarities will be found between them.
Analogies are deductions that are made starting from the similarity in some quality of two elements, changing between them properties that are not exactly identical.
When classifying analogies, first consider the arguments and then the terms. The first group will be seen below:
Analogy of properties: it is the most common, it refers to the transfer of some quality, due to the similarity in most. For example, when two businesses have the same price for four products.
Analogies of relationships: in this case, instead of transferring the properties of an object, the links between two or more are transferred, without having to cross the two groups.
Rigorous and non-rigorous analogies: they are classified in this way due to the need for verification they must have. The rigorous ones, are those that are presented in the mathematical and logical demonstrations, they are those that need absolute certainty of the affirmations that are made; while the non-rigorous ones can originate from the levels of possibility, which are increased as experiences are repeated and conclusions are stimulated.
The other classes of analogies are those of the terms, understanding that one word can be analogous to another. In this case, the word analogy is used in the sense of "relationship between different things" and does not need to end as an equality of terms. They can be: synonyms (their meaning is similar. Ahem: beautiful-beautiful) and antonyms (the meaning of the terms are opposite ideas. Ahem: light-dark).
The word analogy has different uses depending on the field where it is applied, for example:
In linguistics, analogies refer to the creation of new words or the transformation of existing ones, starting from the similarity with others. With regard to grammar, use the analogy to define the formal resemblance between linguistic elements that fulfill the same purpose, or that are significantly synchronized.
In law an analogy refers to the basis of being able to contemplate similar cases, through careful comparison.
