Analogical reasoning in science / Francesco Nappo and Giovanni Valente

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nappo, Francesco, author.

Valente, Giovanni, author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of science

Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of science, 2517-7273

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Methodology.

Science.

Social sciences--Methodology.

Social sciences.

Analogy.

Reasoning.

analogy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026

Summary:

"When faced with a difficult problem or limited information about a novel domain, how do scientists advance their research? As historians of science have widely noted, one strategy common to the natural and the social sciences is to make use of analogy. Formulating hypotheses about an unknown system construed by analogy with what is observed in a more familiar system has repeatedly proven to be a source of discoveries. But what makes analogy such a useful tool for scientific inquiry? Although early reflections trace back to Aristotle, the question of the exact role of analogy in science remains an outstanding one in contemporary philosophy of science. This Element aims to clarify the main epistemological questions at stake and why seemingly obvious answers to them do not survive scrutiny. We provide an overview of the current debate and summarize insights from relevant case studies in the natural and social sciences"-- Cambridge Core

Contents:

Analogy in scientific investigation

Criteria of plausibility

Analogy at work

Justification

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed June 17, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Nappo, Francesco Analogical reasoning in science

ISBN:

9781009526494

1009526499

OCLC:

1584438931

Publisher Number:

CIPO000389651

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license