Analogical reasoning is a method of processing information that compares the similarities between new and understood concepts, then uses those similarities to gain understanding of the new concept. It is a valid practical approach approved by the scientific community. For the past 150 years, scientists have used arguments based on analogies to things we do understand to formulate new hypotheses in emerging areas of scientific work. In fact, we as human beings use analogies in many walks of life, such as decision making in law, business and politics; scientific reasoning in the laboratory; and problem solving in daily life. Even children as young as one and two years of age display an ability to reason analogically, where they use their understanding of familiar situations to help them construct new knowledge. Consider the following case study by a group of interdisciplinary professionals where they observed five year old Elliot and James applying their knowledge of human anatomy to intrepret how trees function:
James: The tree's so fat. It's got lots of blood in it.
Elliot: Because inside the wood there's some very liquid black stuff and I know that's blood.
James: No, water! The water goes in the tree and it could easily.....The water goes under, in the roots, and it goes up in the tree and gets blood.
Teacher: Why do you think the trees need to have blood?
James: Cos if they didn't have blood they would die.
Teacher: What does the blood do, do you think?
James: Helps them stay alive.
(Trees have sap to carry water nutrients throughout the tree - just like we have blood to carry nutrients through our bodies)
It has been argued that analogical reasoning is the "core" of cognition. It plays a significant role in problem solving, decision making, perception, memory, creativity, emotion, explanation and communication. It lies behind basic tasks such as the identification of places, objects and people, for example, in face perception and facial recognition systems. It is not only important in ordinary language and common sense, but also in science, philosophy and humanities (Holyoak and Thagard - 43).
The point that I am trying to prove is that analogical reasoning isn't a farce; it's authentic and has been used practically in many fields of study, including science. The reason I am trying to validate the use of analogical reasoning is because it presents a powerful case for the existence of an Intelligent Designer.
We know that where there's intelligent communication, there's an intelligent cause. Carl Sagan, known for his scientific achievements and popular science books, once made the following statement: "The receipt of a single message from space would be enough to know there's an intelligence out there." And if a single message from space is enough for us to conclude there's intelligence behind it, then what about the vast amounts of information contained in the DNA of every living plant and animal?
If this were the only proof available to us for the existence of God, then it surely would not suffice. But it isn't. God has provided us with so much more evidence to the point where I believe that if you examine the evidence without any bias, you will come to the conclusion that God exists. And not only that God exists, but that He sent Jesus Christ down to this earth over 2000 years ago to redeem humanity from the depravity of this broken world.
Since I began writing this blog, all of my posts have been about the science behind creation and evolution. Although I plan on continuing to write about this incredible subject, I will definitely begin writing about new topics. If you ever have any questions or remarks about what I am writing, feel free to send me a message / comment or talk to me in person. I am open for discussion. Have a great Sunday!
References:
1. Mental Leaps: Analogy in Creative Thought - Keith J. Holyoak and Paul Thagard
2. Mathematical and Analogical Reasoning of Young Learners - Edited by Lyn English
