Analogy and Abstraction

Analogy: - a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect 
 
Abstraction: - the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events

One of the most amazing human capabilities is our ability to make analogies. The ability to make comparisons is deeply rooted in human thinking.  Finding similarities and differences is an efficient way of learning and storing information, dealing with situations we haven't encountered before, and quickly simplifying complex problems.  This skill is constantly reinforced throughout life; in school, we’re often asked to “compare and contrast.” A more sophisticated form of analogy is what scientists call "abstraction." Abstraction deals with ideas instead of physical representations. It allows us to use reason to apply knowledge from one space into another. We can understand something intangible by comparing it to something tangible.

Analogy and abstraction allow us to understand something we've never encountered by comparing it to something we already know. It allows us to better comprehend something complex by comparing it to something similar. We compare by identifying similarities and differences.

Our subconscious is especially skilled at this. Imagine driving down an unfamiliar street and encountering a new traffic situation—you instinctively draw from past experiences to react in a split second. Our ability to form analogies is incredibly complex. We can look at a Georgia O’Keeffe painting and recognize an orchid, even though a bee wouldn’t make the same connection. I can confidently say that your car has four wheels—even though I’ve never seen your car.  We use abstraction to "paint a mental picture." In today's world, a meme is a popular form of abstraction.

Consciously seeking analogies is a powerful problem-solving tool, helping us step back and view a problem from new perspectives. Analogies shift our thinking from an immediate, reactive state to a more contemplative, objective mindset, fostering critical thought. I find that analogies from nature and the physical world are especially effective for this.