The examination of likeness is useful with a view both to
inductive arguments and to hypothetical reasonings, and also with a
view to the rendering of definitions. It is useful for inductive
arguments, because it is by means of an induction of individuals in
cases that are alike that we claim to bring the universal in evidence:
for it is not easy to do this if we do not know the points of
likeness. It is useful for hypothetical reasonings because it is a
general opinion that among similars what is true of one is true also
of the rest. If, then, with regard to any of them we are well supplied
with matter for a discussion, we shall secure a preliminary
admission that however it is in these cases, so it is also in the case
before us: then when we have shown the former we shall have shown,
on the strength of the hypothesis, the matter before us as well: for
we have first made the hypothesis that however it is in these cases,
so it is also in the case before us, and have then proved the point as
regards these cases. It is useful for the rendering of definitions
because, if we are able to see in one glance what is the same in
each individual case of it, we shall be at no loss into what genus
we ought to put the object before us when we define it: for of the
common predicates that which is most definitely in the category of
essence is likely to be the genus.
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