Abstract
This chapter focuses on one of the common fallacies in Western philosophy called ' weak analogy’. As Patrick Hurley writes, the weak analogy fallacy “occurs when the conditions of an argument depend on an analogy (or similarity) that is not strong enough to support the conclusion”. Often, vegetarians and vegans will hear the following argument from analogy in defense of carnivorism: “Animals eat each other in nature, so it’s permissible for us to eat them as well”. By focusing on the similarities between animals and humans, and by arguing that these similarities are indeed relevant to the issue at hand, philosopher Peter Singer presents a strong argument from analogy in favor of the conclusion that animals are indeed sentient beings.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Bad Arguments |
Subtitle of host publication | 50 Common Fallacies and How to Avoid Them |
Publisher | Wiley |
Pages | 234-237 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781119165811 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781119165781 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Moral philosopher
- Sentient beings
- Teleological argument
- Weak analogy
- Western philosophy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Arts and Humanities