Lesson 7: Appeal to Emotion

Spot the Faulty Logic #

“We absolutely have to adopt this puppy today. If we leave him at the shelter, he will be all alone in a cold cage and think that nobody loves him.”

Discussion: Talk with your teacher about this example. What might be the problem with the child’s statement?

How/Why It’s Often Used #

People use this fallacy because emotions are powerful and can be more persuasive than facts. It’s also easier to make people feel something than to do the critical thinking needed for a logical argument.

Appeal to Emotion in Action #

Did you spot the faulty logic? #

This argument tries to manipulate the listener into making a major commitment based purely on pity and guilt, rather than practical logic. It completely ignores important questions - like whether the family has the time, money, or space to care for a pet - and focuses entirely on the emotional sadness of the puppy’s situation to force a “yes.”

Second Example #

“You absolutely must finish everything on your plate, even if you are full. Think of the poor, starving children around the world who have nothing to eat; it is just too heartbreaking to let this food go to waste.”

The Flaw #

This argument relies on guilt and sadness to force compliance rather than logic. Whether or not you finish your meal has no physical effect on the starving children; eating past the point of fullness does not feed them, but the speaker uses the tragedy of their hunger to make you feel too guilty to say “no.”