Fallacy of False Analogy

By moepyaesone.trevor | Updated: Nov. 11, 2024, 6:52 a.m.

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This is a Fallacy of False Analogy short explainer video for EWRT 02 class at De Anza College, CA.

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Hello
Everyone!
I'm Myo Thant Zin!
In this video, we will be exploring
Fallacy of False Analogy!
The real question:
What is Fallacy of False Analogy?
Brief Definition:
What is Fallacy of False Analogy?
It is defined as drawing an invalid comparison between two things.
Diving Deeper:
What is Fallacy of False Analogy?
According to tutors.com, “a false analogy is a type of logical fallacy where a weak analogy leads to an incorrect conclusion.” While the items compared are similar in some way, an additional similarity is incorrectly assigned to them. The characteristics of the two items are greatly different in the area compared, leading to a false conclusion. A false analogy is also “a type of informal fallacy that applies to inductive arguments.”

In other words:
What is Fallacy of False Analogy?
According to thoughtco.com, “the fallacy, or false analogy, is an argument based on misleading, superficial, or implausible comparisons.”

In other words:
What is Fallacy of False Analogy?
According to thoughtco.com, fallacy of false analogy has different names:

faulty analogyweak analogywrongful comparisonmetaphor as argumentanalogical fallacy

"The fallacy of false analogies occurs when so much weight is placed on proven similarities that someone thinks other similarities must also apply. This faulty reasoning can often lead to absurd conclusions."
From tutors.com:
When does it occur?
Now that we know the definition, let's move on to some examples to further understand fallacy of false analogy!
Example #1:
Let's start off with a simple example of fruit analogy. Oranges, Mangoes and Pumpkins are all the color orange. They are all fruits. Thus, all fruits have the color, orange.
Example #1 Explanation:
Based on the Orange color characteristic of Oranges, Mangoes and Pumpkins, in addition to their classification of fruits, one might conclude that all fruits are the color, orange. This is an argument based on two supporting observations/facts and this might lead to one believining this is a valid argument.
Example #1 Explanation:
However, this is an invalid argument with a false conclusion because the colors of all fruits are not put into consideration. In addition, only three of many fruits are compared to support this arugment/conclusion. Other fruits that can be considered include apples that are red, pineapples that are yellow and Durians that are green. Thus this is a valid example of fallacy of false analogy.
Example #2:
Now, let's look into a more complex example: The MAN ON mARS ANALOGY. aCCORDING TO TUTORS.COM, THIS ANALOGY STATES THAT AMERICA, BEING THE FIRST COUNTRY TO PUT A HUMAN ON THE MOON, CAN ALSO BE THE FIRST COUNTRY TO PUT A HUMAN ON THE PLANET, MARS.  
Example #2 Explanation:
With the observation/fact of america being able to send the first human to the moon, an argument is made that america can lead the race of the first human on mars. This is an invalid argument with a false conclusion because only one comparison is made between america and other countries based on an event of the past. 
Example #2 Explanation:
A certain period of time has passed since neil armstrong stepped foot on the moon and society has changed. The space race/program have also changed due to different factors succh as national and international relations, private companies' interests, and human society's technological advancements. Thus, it cannot be a certainty for america to win the race to mars, if there is one. Without these various factors into consideration, the Man on mars analogy can be classified as a fallacy of false analogy. 
Hope the examples helped you in further understanding fallacy of false analogy. Without further ado, let's summarize what we learn today!
To summarize, the fallacy of false analogy is the argument of concluding that things that have similarities in one aspect must have similarities in others.

It is important to avoid the fallacy of false analogy because it can make your argument and conclusion invalid, causing you to fail a debate.
Works Cited
Chandler, Daniel. “False Analogy - Definition and Examples.” Tutors, 13 Feb. 2024, tutors.com/lesson/false-analogy. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024
Nordquist, Richard. “The Fallacy of the False Analogy.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 5 Feb. 2020, www.thoughtco.com/false-analogy-fallacy-1690850.  Accessed 10 Nov. 2024

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Fallacy of False Analogy

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