analógia

Analógia is a term used in Hungarian and many other languages to denote the concept of analogy: a relation of similarity or correspondence between two things that is used to reason about one from the other. It encompasses both a cognitive tool for understanding and a formal pattern of reasoning found in language, science, and philosophy.

Etymology and orthography: Analógia derives from the Greek analōgia, through Latin, meaning proportionality or correspondence. In Hungarian, the word is written analógia, with diacritical marks indicating vowel length and pronunciation.

Uses and fields: In linguistics and rhetoric, analogy refers to forming or recognizing patterns by comparing familiar forms to unfamiliar ones. In science and everyday reasoning, analogies serve as modeling devices to transfer understanding from a known domain to a new one. In biology, analogous structures are features that perform similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin. In theology, concepts such as analogia entis (analogy of being) and analogia fidei (analogy of faith) describe ways to speak about God that acknowledge limits of human language while preserving meaningful reference.

Examples: A common analogy is comparing the brain to a computer to illustrate information processing, or describing natural phenomena by mapping them onto familiar mechanical systems. Such comparisons aid understanding but can also mislead if the similarities obscure crucial differences.

History: The use of analogy traces to ancient Greek philosophy and Aristotle, who treated it as a methodological and logical tool. It evolved through medieval scholastic thought and remains influential in modern philosophy, science, linguistics, and theology.