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Analogies create a false sense of meaning. Nothing new is gained other than an isomorphism. There is no logical transfer of new information because the analogy
by crimsonalucard 7y ago
Analogies create a false sense of meaning. Nothing new is gained other than an isomorphism. There is no logical transfer of new information because the analogy only works if you already understand both concepts. Additionally, analogies may over simplify concepts but usually people are too enamored by the isomorphism to really see it.
Think about this famous analogy: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
I clearly know about how life and a box of chocolates can be random at times. This is dead obvious information to the point of pointlessness. Yet in church or in meetings you see people nod their heads in agreement as if something insightful was said. Here's reality: Nothing insightful was said, the person who was comparing life to a box of chocolates is literally mentally retarded.
Analogies are used to manipulate, not to inform.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- engManager 7y agoIsomorphism can yield eye-opening insights and inspire new behaviors. Drawing connections between similar ideas in different domains can be an enjoyable and creative mental exercise.
- crimsonalucard 7y agoYes in this sense it's good. But usually for analogies it's just relating one obvious fact to another obvious fact and the relations are so flush with each other that you fail to see that all you're being told are obvious facts.