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NeCede's

Maxim 10.9.5

From similars to dissimilars no argument is drawn; of dissimilar things, the reason is dissimilar.

De similibus ad dissimilia non fit argumentum; dissimilium dissimilis est ratio.

Source: Co. Litt. 191; 4 Co. 18 Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

Analogy has its limits — where things differ in their essential nature, reasoning from one to the other produces error; different things demand different rules.

Where this applies

  • They're drawing an analogy between two things that are fundamentally different.
  • You can't reason from one case to another when the essential nature differs.
  • Analogies break down when the things compared are truly dissimilar.

Legal domains

interpretation

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 10.9.5 — From similars to dissimilars no argument is drawn; of dissimilar things, the reason is dissimilar. — Co. Litt. 191; 4 Co. 18 (De similibus ad dissimilia non fit argumentum; dissimilium dissimilis est ratio.)

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