Analogy in Science: From a psychological perspective

This study seeks to determine the functions of analogy in the practice of scientific enquiry. Two groups of problems are considered: (1) analogy as an object of research, and (2) the role of analogical thinking as a method of scientific research. Certain aspects of research upon analogy in such areas as empistemology, semiotics, psychology, cultural studies, linguistics and the science of science are discussed. In exploring analogy as a method for scientific work the following cognitive functions are presented: heuristic, systematic, descriptive, explicative, assentive, argumentative and didactic.