A few consideration on comparison method in appraisal

The paper has a theoretical and methodological content and is focused on the comparative method as Appraisal rational. Even though many scholars have strong prejudices against comparison as a research strategy and hold that it should be substituted by a “more scientific” statistical one, the paper holds that to increase the scientific content of appraisals does not require to change the method of inquiry but to replace the “impressionistic” comparison with “scientific” comparison. Consequently, the paper presents some relevant achievements in comparison theory and illustrates the connected concepts of similarity and classification. Finally, the paper recognizes that even though “scientific” comparisons” are methodologically feasible, at the operational level they are not yet available, this exhorts the appraisers’ community to a deep and thoughtful reflection and further researches.