Appeal to Fear
Disciplines
> Argument >
Fallacies > Appeal to Fear
Description | Discussion |
Example | See also
Description
X is presented. It causes
fear. Therefore Y (which has some relationship to X) is true.
Mostly, this is done by some form of threat, which may be to the person or
may be to something about which they care. The threat may be physical, emotional
or spiritual.
Example
I know where you live, and I have friends who like a good
fire...
Those who do not rejoice will burn in hell.
If Mike heard you saying that, he would not be very happy.
Discussion
Fear is a basic motivator that is used surprisingly often. The danger of
using this is that it can also lead to other irrational emotions that can
rebound upon the persuader, such as dislike and hate. Fear also results in
people running away, but not always in the direction intended.
Fear appeals seldom gain more than compliance. Emotional and intellectual
agreement will lag far behind and may never be gained (in fact opposing ideas
may be strengthened).
Classification
Appeal, Relevance,
Threat
Also known as
Ad Baculum, Ad Metum, Appeal to Force, Consequences, In Terrorem, Scare
Tactics
See also
Fear,
Fight-or-Flight Reaction
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