An analogical argument is strengthened by
2013
An analogical argument is strengthened by
Answer: B. reducing the claim made on the basis of the premises affirmed. — ConceptAn analogical argument is an ampliative argument: accepted similarities in the premises support a further similarity in the conclusion, but they do not…
- A.
making the claim bolder while its premises remain unchanged.
- B.
reducing the claim made on the basis of the premises affirmed.
- C.
remaining the claim unchanged while the evidence in its support is found to exhibit greater frailty.
- D.
None of the above.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
An analogical argument is an ampliative argument: accepted similarities in the premises support a further similarity in the conclusion, but they do not guarantee it.
With the evidence fixed, a more modest conclusion requires a smaller inferential leap. Reducing what the conclusion claims therefore increases the degree of support that the same premises can provide.
Application
The stated premises remain affirmed while the claim based on them is reduced. The evidential base is unchanged, but the conclusion becomes more modest, so the premises support it more strongly.
Contrast
Making the claim bolder while keeping the premises unchanged enlarges the inferential leap.
Keeping the claim unchanged while the supporting evidence becomes more fragile weakens the evidential base.
“None of the above” does not apply because reducing the claim states the relevant strengthening principle.
Cross-check
This agrees with the standard test for analogical arguments: other things being equal, the weaker or more modest the conclusion, the more plausible the analogy.
Therefore, the argument is strengthened by reducing the claim made on the basis of the affirmed premises.