Historical Shifts in the Use of Analogy in Science.

Abstract

Analogy is widely considered to be an important mechanism of scientific thinking and a source of creative insight in theory development. This paper considers the implicit constraints that determine analogical soundness. First examine the constraints that govern analogical reasoning as it is predicted today. Then trace the scientific uses of analogy through three time periods and contrast the styles of analogizing practice by scientists at different points in history. This comparison suggests that the notion of analogical soundness has evolved over time. Keywords: Analogy; Similarity; Structure mapping; systematically; Relational systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 26, 1987
Accession Number
ADA189522

Entities

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  • Dedre Gentner
  • Michael Jeziorski

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  • University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

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