THE TYPE.
As the definition implies, analogy involves an extensiveuse of types; let us, therefore, become better acquainted with them as instruments in analogical inductions. A type is one of a group which embodies the essential characteristics of that group. How easy and natural it is to dismiss a complex topic with the citing of an example which may be regarded as a type; how common is the use of examples in the school room! On second thought it becomes apparent that analogical induction by example or type is the most common of all forms of induction either as a method or a mode of inference. Analogy by example (or type) assumes that if two or more things are of the same type, they resemble each other in every essential property.
Illustrations of analogical inductions by example or type.
(1) Mathematics.
Example: a + b
a + b
———————
a2 + ab
+ ab + b2
———————