analogische

Analogische is a German adjective meaning "analogical" or "based on analogy." In scholarly usage, it denotes a relation of similarity that governs reasoning, language, or classification without claiming identity between compared cases. The term appears across fields, often to describe processes that rely on patterns observed in one set of instances and extended to others.

In linguistics and language change, analogische Bildung refers to the formation or regularization of forms by analogy with existing patterns. This can move irregular inflection toward regular endings, or extend productive patterns to new words. It is a key mechanism in diachronic linguistic change and in the productivity of morphological systems.

In philosophy and theology, analogical language is central to how humans speak about God, being, or abstract properties. The idea of speech by analogy (analogia) holds that terms applied to God must be used in a sense that is different from their application to created beings, yet still related to the divine reality. The term analogia entis, used in scholastic theology, expresses this approach to naming and predication.

In cognitive science and science more broadly, analogical reasoning uses knowledge from a familiar domain to draw conclusions about a less familiar one. This form of reasoning supports hypothesis formation, model construction, and problem solving, but it can also mislead if relevant similarities are overstated or superficial.

Overall, analogische concepts emphasize constructive similarity while recognizing limits, and they play a recurring role in language, thought, and theory-building.