Target

Definition

In the context of evaluating analogical arguments, a target refers to the specific subject or entity being examined or analyzed for similarities with another subject or entity, known as the source. The effectiveness of an analogical argument often depends on how closely related the target is to the source in relevant aspects. When comparing a target and a source, it's essential to identify shared characteristics that can support the conclusion drawn from the analogy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The target is crucial in determining the strength of an analogical argument since a well-chosen target will enhance the argument's persuasive power.
2. When evaluating an analogy, it's important to consider whether the target possesses key characteristics that make it comparable to the source.
3. The effectiveness of an analogy diminishes if the target lacks significant similarities with the source, leading to weak or flawed conclusions.
4. Identifying a relevant target involves careful analysis of both the source and its context to ensure appropriate comparisons are made.
5. Misidentifying or overlooking critical aspects of the target can lead to hasty generalizations and poor reasoning in arguments.

Review Questions

• How does the choice of a target affect the validity of an analogical argument?
  • The choice of a target significantly influences the validity of an analogical argument because a strong analogy relies on relevant similarities between the target and source. If the target is well-chosen and closely resembles the source in key aspects, it strengthens the argument's overall persuasiveness. However, if the target is poorly selected or lacks relevant similarities, it can undermine the argument and lead to faulty conclusions.
• What role do relevant similarities play in evaluating a target when constructing an analogical argument?
  • Relevant similarities are critical when evaluating a target for an analogical argument because they establish the foundation upon which comparisons are made. Identifying these similarities helps assess whether the target shares meaningful attributes with the source, allowing for a more robust and convincing argument. Without these relevant similarities, any conclusions drawn may be weak or invalid, highlighting their importance in effective reasoning.
• Evaluate how misidentifying a target might impact overall reasoning in an analogical argument, using specific examples.
  • Misidentifying a target can severely impact reasoning in an analogical argument by leading to incorrect conclusions drawn from invalid comparisons. For instance, if someone compares a human's need for food (target) to a car's need for fuel (source) without acknowledging fundamental differences in their contexts and functions, they could argue erroneously about consumption needs across living beings and machines. This kind of flawed reasoning not only undermines the strength of the argument but can also propagate misunderstandings about both subjects involved.

Related terms

Source: The subject or entity used as a point of comparison in an analogical argument, providing the basis for drawing similarities with the target.

Analogical Reasoning: A form of reasoning that involves drawing conclusions based on the similarities between two different subjects, often used to evaluate the strength of an argument.

Relevant Similarities: Characteristics or attributes that are shared between the target and source, which are critical for establishing a valid analogy.