Analogies and Other Minds

Abstract

The argument by analogy for other minds is customarily rejected as a weak inference because the argument is based on a single instance. The current paper argues that this objection  fundamentally misunderstands the inferential structure of analogies and so misrepresents the role analogy plays in the  justifycation of belief in other minds. Arguments by be uniquely suited to draw inferences from single instances. This defense does not remove all difficulties faced by the argument by analogy for other minds.