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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/L023989/1
Title: The Logic of Analogy by Structural Similarity
Principal Investigator: Paris, Professor J
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Mathematics
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 30 August 2014 Ends: 29 August 2017 Value (£): 301,846
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Logic & Combinatorics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
05 Mar 2014 EPSRC Mathematics Prioritisation Meeting March 2014 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Traditionally the Western conception of reasoning has been dominated by ideas originating with the ancient Greeks, the identification of consequence being the transfer of truth, with conclusions logically inheriting truth from premises. Eastern logics however, and much of our own everyday reasoning, commonly appeal to analogy by structural similarity and the transfer not of truth but merely of qualified belief.

For example if I know that my 10 year old nephew enjoyed a Christmas party in the local swimming pool I might recommend this possibility to a colleague who wishes to arrange a birthday party for her 9 year old daughter.

Whilst such reasoning is clearly not foolproof, recent results of the PI, proposed RA and A.Hill, have shown that one can supply a solid theoretical foundation for the RATIONALITY of reasoning by such analogical similarity within the framework of Pure Inductive Logic. These results suggest three further questions: What are the boundaries on analogy by structural similarity as a rationally justified mode of reasoning? Can we develop a logic of analogical reasoning by structural similarity? To what extent can the roles be reversed and Western, Aristotelian, Logic be explained as derived from this alternative logic of analogy?

These are the main questions that the proposed research intends to pursue.
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Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk