STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE VERSUS ADAPTATION PROCESSES IN THE WORLD OF ANIMALS – SEARCHING FOR ANALOGIES

Abstract

The study deals with problem of using analogies in order to search for the adequacy of structural transformations in farms, and changes in animate nature. There has been presented the essence of the analogy method, usually defined as the similarity or correspondence of objects, phenomena, processes and states. That points out its universalism and interdisciplinary in the field of cognition, including natural and economic processes. The instrument of analogy can be helpful in searching for the truth and regularity in the world around us, as well as may be some source of inspiration for research, by providing invigorating thoughts, and creative effects. The possibility of such application of analogy is also explained by the statement that, in a sense, economics may also have had its origins in biology, as the science dealing with animate world, which components represented by different species, use various life strategies that favour survival in the constantly changing outside world. It is similar in economic reality, which agriculture and individual farms are crucial elements. Thus, it was assumed that it is possible to distinguish certain parallels in spheres seemingly as distant as the economics of agriculture, and the world of animals. The examples refer to such designates as: coexistence – evolutionarily stable strategy, cooperation – reciprocal altruism, and hostile takeover – aggressive mimicry.