Appeal To Emotion – Explaining This Fallacy & Examples

Being able to write persuasively is an essential skill when you are presenting your research in the form of a thesis. However, you have to make sure that your persuasive techniques are logical and effective. You want your argument to be credible and based on fact. The appeal to emotion fallacy could weaken your argument. Learning about this fallacy will help you avoid it when writing your dissertation.

Definition: Appeal to emotion

As the name implies, an appeal to emotion (lat. “argumentum ad passions”) relies on the potency of emotional responses to convey a point, rather than relying solely on persuasive reasoning. It can appeal to a whole host of emotions, from fear, pity, anger, sadness, pride, or joy, and therefore relies on emotional reactions to persuade the audience. Most commonly, this fallacy is used to derive attention from weak arguments. An appeal to emotion is considered an informal fallacy because the reasoning is logically flawed due to the content of the argument or a failure in the argument’s structure, making it unsound or invalid.

Types

Appeals to emotion include various positive as well as negative feelings. These arguments use the power of emotions by using the two key emotions.

1. Negative emotions: Guilt, shame, frustration, disgust, fear, helplessness, pessimism, anger, pity, apathy, hate, loathing, contempt, bitterness, jealousy, despair, indignation, distrust, cynicism, embarrassment, spite, sadness, resentment, disappointment, vanity, pride, annoyance, envy, and anxiety.
2. Positive emotions: Compassion, trust, excitement, hope, love, humility, pleasure, amusement, happiness, relief, joy, optimism, gratitude, respect, admiration, courage, sympathy, kindness, and affection.

Some of these emotions can be categorized as specifically negative or positive. However, what is important is to identify an appeal to emotion fallacy and the fact that even a positive emotion can be appealed to in a manner that is manipulative and that leads to negative consequences. Thus, an appeal to emotion may lead to more critical thinking. However, the argument is still fallacious and would be deemed incorrect in academic writing.

Psychology behind the appeal to emotion fallacy

An appeal to emotion works because it taps into the power of emotions, making the audience more receptive and connected to the message. Emotions like fear, happiness, anger, or empathy can strongly influence people’s attitudes and decisions, often more powerfully than logic or facts alone. This emotional connection can make the message more memorable and persuasive, as people are typically (unknowingly) more driven by how they feel about an issue than by objective data.

In addition, emotions can be considered in a manner that is logical and sound, particularly regarding arguments, even if it seems logically unsound to do so. For example, it can be logically sound to decide on a course of action when this action will make people feel happy or sad. People might factor this in, even if it has no relevance to the argument itself.

Furthermore, the latest issue of the argument can be difficult to identify, and the argument itself can appear more persuasive when an appeal to emotion combines sound reasoning with the deceptive use of emotion.

How to appeal to somebody emotionally

An appeal to emotion involves using rhetorical strategies to evoke specific feelings in your audience, influencing their attitudes and decisions. This can be achieved through three primary types of appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos.

What makes an appeal to emotion fallacious?

An appeal to emotion is considered fallacious because it relies on manipulating emotions rather than offering valid, logical reasoning or factual evidence to support an argument. It tries to substitute the argument by providing evidence with emotion. This tactic diverts attention from the strengths or weaknesses of the argument itself and instead seeks to persuade by eliciting an emotional response. As a result, decisions made under the influence of such appeals may not be based on sound reasoning or objective analysis, leading to potentially flawed conclusions. The appeal to emotion fallacy lies in using emotion to persuade, rather than building a case through logical and factual evidence.

Appeal to emotion fallacy examples

The appeal to emotion fallacy is common in various fields, particularly in politics or real life. In the following, you will find examples that illustrate this.

Appeal to emotion fallacy in academic writing

In academic writing, the appeal to emotion fallacy is generally considered inappropriate and discouraged. Academic writing prioritizes objective analysis, logical reasoning, and evidence-based arguments. Using emotional appeals can undermine the objectivity and credibility of the work, as it shifts the focus from factual evidence and rational argumentation to subjective feelings. The goal in academic contexts is to persuade through sound reasoning and robust evidence, not through the manipulation of emotions. Therefore, emotional appeals are typically viewed as a weakness in academic arguments, indicating a lack of substantial evidence or logical reasoning. Thus, you should definitely avoid using this fallacy in your next paper.

How to avoid using appeal to emotion

To avoid using emotional appeals, first consider whether trying to elicit emotions or discuss them is appropriate in the context of your argument. If you feel it is appropriate, then try to do so in a logically sound way, for example, by not evading your burden of proof through the use of emotions to distract your audience.

Furthermore, you should focus on presenting factual information and logical arguments. Stick to objective data, use rational reasoning, and avoid using language or imagery that is designed to elicit an emotional response. Prioritize clear, evidence-based communication over storytelling or personal anecdotes that might sway emotions.

In this revised version, the argument is supported by referencing research and reports, focusing on the data and projected outcomes rather than trying to evoke emotional responses. This approach maintains the academic integrity and persuasiveness of the argument without resorting to emotional manipulation.

Identifying the use

If you’re uncertain whether your paper is making use of the appeal to emotion fallacy, work through the following points when reviewing your argument:

1. Check for emotional language: Look for words or phrases that evoke strong emotions such as fear, pity, anger, or joy. Emotional language often tries to influence the reader’s feelings rather than presenting an objective argument.
2. Analyze the arguments: Assess whether the arguments are primarily based on facts, evidence, and logical reasoning or if they rely on evoking emotional responses. An emotional appeal may be present if the argument makes you feel strongly about an issue without providing substantial evidence or logical reasoning.
3. Look for subjective or biased statements: If the paper contains subjective opinions or biased statements that aim to sway the reader’s emotions, rather than presenting a balanced view, it may indicate an appeal to emotion.
4. Examine the use of anecdotes or stories: While anecdotes can be effective in illustrating points, relying heavily on personal stories or hypothetical scenarios that are designed to evoke sympathy or fear might be an appeal to emotion.
5. Identify fear or pity appeals: Be wary of arguments that seem to manipulate fear (e.g., suggesting catastrophic consequences, without evidence) or pity (e.g., overly sentimental examples).
6. Evaluate the conclusion: Sometimes, emotional appeals are more evident in the conclusion, where the writer might urge the reader to take action or change their opinion based on emotional reasoning rather than the evidence presented.

Once identified, it’s important to revise these sections to ensure that the arguments are grounded in evidence and logical analysis, maintaining the academic rigor and objectivity expected in scholarly writing.