Weak Analogy Fallacy Examples in Media, Real Life, Politics, News & Ads

Weak Analogy Fallacy

Weak Analogy Fallacy Definition

The analogy fallacy is a type of false equivalence in which two things are compared, but the comparison is not logically valid. It is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone assumes that because two things are similar in some ways, they must also be similar in other ways.

This fallacy can be committed when one thing is said to be “just like” another without any logical basis for the claim.

The weak analogy fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone assumes that because two things are alike in some respects, they must also be alike in other respects.

The weakness of this type of reasoning can often be seen by comparing an argument to its opposite: for instance, if one were to argue that since it’s cold outside and snowing, therefore it’s warm inside and raining.

An example of this would be saying that because apples and oranges both have seeds, they must share some other property as well.

Weak Analogy Fallacy Examples

Weak Analogy example in Philosophy

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy in Philosophy:

An example of weak analogy fallacy in philosophy is the argument that “if there is no such thing as free will, then we are all just robots.”

Another example of a weak analogy fallacy in philosophy is when someone says, “I am not religious because I don’t believe in God,” and then goes on to say, “therefore, you must not be religious either.”

A third example of a weak analogy fallacy in philosophy might be when someone argues that since they can’t see their own soul, it must mean that nobody else has one either.

Weak Analogy Fallacy Real-Life Examples

Weak Analogy Fallacy in Real Life:

• The analogy between the Earth and the Sun is weak because they are vastly different in size.
• The analogy between a car engine and an airplane engine is weak because one runs on gas while the other runs on jet fuel.
•  The analogy between a book and a computer is weak because one can be read while the other cannot.
• The analogy between a car and a computer is weak because they are both machines.
• The analogy between an apple and the sun is weak because apples don’t shine like the sun does.
• The analogy between dogs and cats is weak because they are very different animals.

Weak Analogy Fallacy Examples in Media

Examples of Moral Equivalence Fallacy in Media: 

The media has a tendency to connect the dots between two stories that have no connection.

For example, in 2017, the media reported on an increase in shark attacks and used it as evidence for climate change.

This is a weak analogy because there is no link between the two events

Weak Analogy Examples in Advertising

Weak Analogy Fallacy in Advertising: 

• “The new iPhone is like a Swiss Army Knife.”
•  “This car has all the features of an SUV, but it’s not an SUV.”
•  “We have the best prices in town!”
•  The analogy of a car to an airplane
• The analogy of a car to a boat
• The analogy of the human body as a machine

Weak Analogy Fallacy in Politics

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy in Politics:

The media often compares the current situation to a past event that is not really related.

For example, when comparing Trump’s presidency to Hitler’s reign in Germany.

This comparison is weak because it does not take into account all of the differences between these two events.

Other examples:

•  “The president is a lot like Santa Claus.”
•  “I’m feeling really hungry; I want to eat something that’s sweet and juicy.”
•  “You are so beautiful, you could be an angel!”

Weak Analogy Fallacy examples in Movies

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy in Movies:

The movie is about a group of friends that are trying to save the world from an alien invasion, but they don’t have any weapons or training. They’re like ants fighting off an elephant.

This is an example of weak analogy fallacy because it’s not fair to compare two things that are so different.

Weak Analogy Fallacy Examples in Literature

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy in Literature:

• The protagonist in the novel is like a lion because they both have claws and teeth.
• The protagonist’s wife is like an apple tree because she has fruit and flowers.
•  The protagonist’s son is like a horse because they are both animals
• The sun is just like a flower.
• A wolf howling at the moon is like an opera singer singing in Italian.
•  The way that you walk is similar to the way that I run

Weak Analogy Fallacy Examples in News

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy in News:

For example, if the news says, “The sky is blue, and the ocean is blue, so they must be the same color,” then you’re committing the weak analogy fallacy.

Another example of the weak analogy fallacy;  “The argument for the existence of God is similar to the argument for the existence of ghosts.”

This would not be an accurate comparison as it’s possible to believe one but not the other.

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