ΑΝΑΛΟΓΙΣΜΟΣ
Analogismos — reasoning by the power of analogy — is one of the oldest schemes of Greek thought. From Pythagorean mathematical proportions (analogy as a bond uniting dissimilars) the term extended into rhetorical argumentation, dialectical assessment, and finally into the psychological process of reckoning and analogizing — recognizing a proportion between different things. Analogismos is thought that bridges gaps by means of common measures.
REPORT ERRORDefinition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ὁ ἀναλογισμός means «reasoning, reckoning, analogical thought», especially inference based on analogy. It is formed from the verb ἀναλογίζομαι (to reckon, reflect, seek the analogy), which in turn comes from ἀναλογία — the mathematical or logical relation uniting two or more terms through a common measure.
In the Pythagorean tradition, ἀναλογία is a foundational concept: «equality of ratios». Mathematical proportions — arithmetic, geometric, harmonic — reveal hidden structures in nature. From this mathematical origin, analogismos expands into logical thought in general: the mind «analogizes» when it compares two situations seeking their common structure.
In rhetorical and forensic practice, analogismos becomes a tool of argument: from a known example a conclusion is drawn for a new case. In Aristotle (Topics, Rhetoric), the category of example and analogy constitutes an important type of non-syllogistic, empirical induction. Finally, in ancient and Hellenistic texts, the word also acquires a psychological meaning: analogizomai means «to ponder, to reckon inwardly», and analogismos becomes the conscious act of inner judgment.
Etymology
Cognates: ἀναλογία (ratio, proportion), ἀνάλογον, ἀναλογίζομαι, λόγος (measure, ratio, word), λογίζομαι (to calculate), λογισμός (reckoning, reasoning), συλλογισμός (syllogism), διαλογισμός (internal deliberation). Opposites: παραλογισμός (false reasoning), ἀλογία.
Main Meanings
- Reasoning by analogy — The primary philosophical meaning — an inference drawn from comparison of two analogous cases.
- Mathematical proportion — The Pythagorean and Euclidean concept of mathematical ratio: A:B = C:D.
- Practical reckoning — The commercial or practical meaning — calculation of a budget, a quantity, a share.
- Inner deliberation — In psychological usage, analogismos means internal reflection, weighing a situation in the mind.
- Rhetorical argument — In forensic and political rhetoric, inference from example and analogy persuades through socially accepted patterns.
- Inductive analogy (Aristotle) — In the Topics, a form of probable reasoning resembling but not identical with full scientific induction.
- Theological analogy — In the Neoplatonic and Christian tradition, analogismos becomes a way of ascending from creatures to the divine through analogical language.
Philosophical Journey
Analogismos appears as a Pythagorean mathematical principle, extends as a tool of forensic and ethical argument, and is codified as a logical method by Aristotle.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΝΑΛΟΓΙΣΜΟΣ is 675, from the sum of its letter values:
675 decomposes into 600 (hundreds) + 70 (tens) + 5 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΝΑΛΟΓΙΣΜΟΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 675 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 9 | |
| Letter Count | 11 | |
| Cumulative | 5/70/600 | Units 5 · Tens 70 · Hundreds 600 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Sun ☉ / Cancer ♋ | 675 mod 7 = 3 · 675 mod 12 = 3 |
Isopsephic Words (675)
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 77 words with lexarithmos 675. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940, s.v. ἀναλογισμός.
- Aristotle — Topics, Rhetoric. Loeb Classical Library.
- Plato — Republic 525a ff., Timaeus 31c-32c. Loeb Classical Library.
- Euclid — Elements, Book V. Ed. J. L. Heiberg, Teubner.
- Lloyd, G. E. R. — Polarity and Analogy: Two Types of Argumentation in Early Greek Thought. Cambridge University Press, 1966.
- Burkert, Walter — Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism. Harvard University Press, 1972.
- Heath, T. L. — A History of Greek Mathematics, Vol. I. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1921.