Translation and Meaning of: 類推 - ruisui

The word 「類推」 (ruisui) is made up of two kanji: 「類」 and 「推」。 The kanji 「類」 (rui) means "similar," "category," or "type," reflecting the idea of classification or association. The kanji 「推」 (sui) conveys the idea of "inferring," "deducing," or "guessing." When combined, the two kanji form the word 「類推」, which we translate as "inference" or "deduction by analogy." This term is often used in academic and literary contexts to describe the process of reaching a conclusion based on similarities between different cases or situations.

In etymology, the radical of 「類」 is related to grouping and similarity, derived from the idea of "similar things." On the other hand, 「推」 has a radical associated with the action of guessing or calculating, demonstrating its connection to logical reasoning processes. This combination of meanings creates a term that emphasizes not only the act of deducing or inferring but doing so based on the recognition of patterns or similarities. Thus, 「類推」 implies a methodology of thought that uses analogy as an interpretative tool.

The use of 「類推」 can be traced back to ancestral practices of argumentation and rhetoric in Japan, where the skill of making comparisons and drawing conclusions was highly valued in debates and philosophical discussions. Today, the term remains relevant in areas such as philosophy, law, and logic, where the ability to form new concepts from known information is essential. In many cases, the quality of a 「類推」 lies in its ability to illuminate new directions of thought through insightful comparisons, becoming a powerful tool in critical and theoretical analyses.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 類推 (ruisui) - Inference by analogy
• 推測 (suisoku) - Guessing or assumption based on available evidence
• 推理 (suiri) - Logical reasoning to reach a conclusion
• 推察 (suisatsu) - Assumption or conjecture about something, often without concrete evidence.
• 推定 (suiten) - Estimate based on available data or information
• 推量 (suiryou) - Estimate or conjecture, often used in more formal contexts