Analogy as the Core of Cognition
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN regulars treat it as an essential, fun Hofstadter talk for any discussion of concepts, analogy and metaphor.
What it is
Douglas Hofstadter's Stanford Presidential Lecture argues that analogy is the core of cognition, illustrating how concepts, categorization and thought arise from analogy-making.
Recommended by 7 HN commenters across 8 different months, 2012 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec jacobolus · 2012-03 · on “What HN users don't mean to be”
Somewhat related to this subject of the link between concepts and words/phrases, the utility of clichés, etc., I strongly recommend Douglas Hofstadter’s lecture, “Analogy as the Core of Cognition”, [this video]
Strong rec bobosha · 2018-04 · on “Ask HN: What is your favourite tech talk?”
Anything by Doug Hofstadter * Analogies are the core of thinking [LINK] * Analogy as the Core of Cognition [this video] If you haven't read Godel, Escher & Bach, go read it now. Will change your thinking.
Strong rec sitkack · 2020-12 · on “Dijkstra Was Wrong About 'Radical Novelty'”
No discussion about concepts, analogy and metaphor is complete with a mention of Analogy as the Core of Cognition [this video] by Douglas Hofstadter
Recommends MichaelMoser123 · 2013-10 · on “The Man Who Would Teach Machines to Think”
Also of interest: Hofstadters lecture about analogy on youtube [this video] Also some earlier work on the subject [LINK] [LINK] I have also written a review on this very interesting book "Surfaces and Essences: Analogy as the Fuel and Fire of Thinking" [LINK]
Recommends sitkack · 2013-12 · on “Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks – Part 1”
Feynman would be proud of your explanation. Douglas Hofstadter, "Analogy as the Core of Cognition" [this video]
Recommends rabino · 2014-06 · on “Atlassian Developer Makes A Horribly Sexist Presentation At A Tech Conference”
Some say analogies are at the very core of our cognition. [this video] Even if you don't agree, it's an interesting and fun talk to watch.
Recommends ssivark · 2021-07 · on “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976)”
For more on metaphors, check out Douglas Hofstadter’s fascinating talk on “Analogy as the core of cognition”: [this video] Ended up inspiring Melanie Mitchell, and became a driving theme of her research :-)
Recommends passion__desire · 2022-02 · on “The case for and against analogies”
I have following 3 suggestions regarding analogies. [1] Analogies in Fundamental physics Lecture by Douglas Hofstadter: Albert Einstein on Light; Light on Albert Einstein : [LINK] “Where does deep insight in physics come from? For those who view physics as a highly rational science grounded in strict mathematics, it is tempting to think that it comes from the purest and most precise of reasoning, following ironclad laws of thought that compel the clear mind completely rigidly. And yet the truth is quite otherwise. One finds, when one looks closely at any major discovery in physics, that the greatest of physicists are the most daring and are constantly being guided by blurry, instinctive, nea