# A lesson in logic **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 15, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554 "2001-02-15T04:46:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/1 "2001-02-15T04:46:34Z")
I’m amazed at the number of people on this board unable to comprehend the concept of an analogy. We’re not talking about rocket science here, it’s a pretty basic idea. How did you people ever do the analogy section of the SAT without even knowing what an analogy **is**? Are our schools really that pathetic? Since I really don’t feel like saying this over and over again every time someone completely misunderstands my argument, here’s an explanation that I can just link to whenever someones insists on displaying their ignorance of the basics of English language. If I say that A is to B as C is to D, I mean that A is to B as C is to D. That is, the **relationship** of A to B is in some way the same as the **relationship** of C to D. Okay? Is that clear? I am not saying that A is the same as C, or B is the same as D or that A is the same as B, or anything other than A is to B as C is to D. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/2 "2001-02-15T04:49:34Z")
Link is to Thread as Dog is to A. Potato B. Chelsea Clinton C. Melifluous D. 4 E. Monarchy ---
**Author:** ![barker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@barker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barker)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/3 "2001-02-15T04:59:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by friedo \* > \*\*Link is to Thread as Dog is to > > A. Potato > B. Chelsea Clinton > C. Melifluous > D. 4 > E. Monarchy > \*\* Has to be **F.** ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/4 "2001-02-15T04:59:34Z")
Normally, the only time I even bother with those little letter things is when I’m bored with taking the tests and I want to finish it up quickly. So I start spelling things out in the Scantron bubbles. ADD CAD BAD DAD And abriviations: AAA ADA ABC Then I go in patters ABCDCBABCDCBA Occasionally I’ll try to diagram DNA, but that never ends up giving me a good score. Ender who prays for 5 answer tests so he can work with another vowel. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/5 "2001-02-15T05:03:21Z")
Linear thinking is SO overrated. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/6 "2001-02-15T05:07:49Z")
But TheRyan, what if the issue at hand isn’t about letters of the alphabet? _ducks and runs like mad_ ---
**Author:** ![inor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f475e1/32.png) [@inor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inor)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/7 "2001-02-15T05:57:13Z")
_god_!!! I keep forgetting I gotta write my sister in McCall… ::_passing cranky_:: ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/8 "2001-02-15T06:05:24Z")
Of course analogies never prove anything, they merely illustrate. Not that illustration is a bad thing… ---
**Author:** ![inor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f475e1/32.png) [@inor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inor)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/9 "2001-02-15T06:44:24Z")
I was gonna say though, The Ryan- seriously man, can you say ‘pedantic’? In most of the threads on the boards, no serious ignorance is fought (IMHO)- it’s fun, it’s fights, it’s who did who in Gilligans Island. A lot of it seems to be about people getting their opinion out. And ain’t nobody changing anybodies minds, for the most part. So, just throwing this out there for your consideration- try lightening up a little- type naked or something. (I was gonna say seriously dude- but I guess that’s not the done thing around here? Lord knows, I want to do whatever is the prettiest thing. This jsut ain’t coming out right- I’m referencing that one phrase- ‘Here’s a quartah, go do something pretty for yourself’ or Handle it- do the pretty thing, make me look good…") (Please, anybody thinking of taking me to task on my two generalisations above- note the use of the qualifiers ‘most’, and ‘for the most part’- thank you) ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/10 "2001-02-15T10:47:39Z")
Well, IMO ABACAB was Genesis’ last good album **joining cranky and inor in the ducking and running game** ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/11 "2001-02-15T13:58:49Z")
In with the OP… However, there is a limit to analogies. For instance if I say something like, oh, Idunno, the way “boxer” people feel about titey-whities is about the same as the way Hitler felt about the Jews and Gypsies, I ain’t gonna score no points at all. Yes, analogies can help make the abstract a bit more concrete, however they can easily be abused. Incidently, **friedo** , I’m pretty sure the answer is **B**. Interpret that as you will. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/12 "2001-02-15T14:12:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > I’m amazed at the number of people on this board unable to comprehend the concept of an analogy. Got a cite for that number? Who, exactly, is unable to comprehend the concept of an analogy? Is there a specific thread or threads you could point us to? Is it possible that the analogies you are using are so asinine or off-base that numerous posters are forced to discount them? > [@](#): > > We’re not talking about rocket science here, it’s a pretty basic idea. A, lovely, the “rocket science” simile. I haven’t seen that old chestnut used in a while. > [@](#): > > How did you people ever do the analogy section of the SAT without even knowing what an analogy **is**? Are our schools really that pathetic? Again, is it possible that posters understand analogies in general, but fail to see the beauty of **your** analogies? I would like to see a cite of the SAT scores of the posters you are accusing of not being able to understand your analogies. > [@](#): > > Since I really don’t feel like saying this over and over again every time someone completely misunderstands my argument, here’s an explanation that I can just link to whenever someones insists on displaying their ignorance of the basics of English language. If you are failing to get your argument across, over and over again, perhaps the problem lies with you. Are people failing to understand your argument, or are they just disagreeing with you? Perhaps they are picking your posts apart line-by-line, in a deliberate attempt to obfuscate and ignore the larger points you are making? I know how much you hate that. > [@](#): > > If I say that A is to B as C is to D, I mean that A is to B as C is to D. That is, the **relationship** of A to B is in some way the same as the **relationship** of C to D. Okay? Is that clear? I am not saying that A is the same as C, or B is the same as D or that A is the same as B, or anything other than A is to B as C is to D. Ha! But this is where you are wrong! Because when you say A is to B is as C is to D, it does not necessarily make it so. You are free to draw any comparison you wish, others are free to say “No, C is NOT to D as A is to B. But that’s a very nice tie you are wearing.” ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/13 "2001-02-15T14:12:45Z")
> [@](#): > > the way “boxer” people feel about titey-whities is about the same as the way Hitler felt about the Jews and Gypsies How dare you! Why, I… uh… oh. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/14 "2001-02-15T17:37:51Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\* We’re not talking about rocket science here_\* For god’s sake, people, the liquid propellant needs to produce continuous thrust if you want the missile to follow the projected trajectory. We’re not talking about rocket science here…oh…wait…nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/15 "2001-02-15T17:53:35Z")
If A is to B as C is to D, then that means A as to D, right? That means A is to C as B is to D, right? Then D/A=C/B as well. and BD=CA So if we say this thread is to helpful as Monkeys are to Grapefruit, that means Helpful grapefruit= monkey threads. I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![TomH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/90db22/32.png) [@TomH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TomH)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/16 "2001-02-15T18:20:18Z")
The Ryan, The fact that somebody disagrees with you doesn’t mean they haven’t understood what you were saying. You would do well to bear this in mind. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/17 "2001-02-15T18:25:41Z")
Using analogies to prove a point is like trying to drive in a nail with a screwdriver. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/18 "2001-02-15T19:22:13Z")
Butt is the CACA as ABBA is to Dancing Queen. Y’know, I know a schematic for a nuclear bomb when I see one; that doesn’t mean I could construct one that worked or was any good. Just as THE RYAN apparently knows an analogy when he sees one . . . . As TOMH said, RYAN, never make the mistake of thinking you’re so brilliant we don’t understand you; some of us just think you’re full of CACA. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/19 "2001-02-15T20:21:28Z")
THE RYAN: who put the **anal** in “analogy”. ::rolls eyes:: There’s logic, and then there’s common sense, effective communication, arguing to elighten rather than obscure… Veb ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2001, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554/20 "2001-02-15T22:07:46Z")
Trouble with analogy is that the discussion drifts off into some meaningless and irrelevant… oh I don’t wanna do this any more I want to make pretty bubbles from washing up liquid and see the lovely colours as they sparkle in the sun before dissappearing in a pop of finality, I wanna see the sun burst through a grim February cloud and show me that good times are coming soon, I wanna go out and make the high score on the pinball machine in my local pub, I wanna find a soulmate to adore forever…geez there just has to be more to life than splitting hairs over the position and exact meaning of every word spoken, breaking a sentance into such small parts that the whole loses all meaning and perspective. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesson-in-logic/54554.md?page=2)