What is it called when an argument says that because things are like in 1 way they are like in others? What kind of reasoning does this sentence use: My dad says everyone should recycle

Answer 1

The type of argument you're referring to, where it's assumed that because two things are alike in one way, they are alike in other ways as well, is known as analogical reasoning. This type of reasoning draws a comparison between two different things based on their similarities to draw a conclusion.

In the sentence "My dad says everyone should recycle," the reasoning being employed is more of an appeal to authority. The speaker is suggesting that the recommendation to recycle is valid simply because their dad (an authority figure) believes it to be true. This doesn't necessarily involve an analogy, but instead relies on trust in the wisdom or knowledge of the dad.