Appeal to Emotion
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
The appeal to emotion fallacy uses feelings as the primary evidence instead of reasons or facts.
The appeal to emotion fallacy uses feelings as the primary evidence instead of reasons or facts.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- If you care about this community, you'll support my plan.
- This policy makes me angry, so it must be wrong.
- Think of the children, therefore the claim is true.
How to respond
- Acknowledge the emotion and ask for evidence.
- Separate how we feel from what is true.
- Ask for a clear claim and supporting reasons.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Are emotions always bad in arguments?
No. Emotions are real, but they should not replace evidence.
How can I respond to emotional pressure?
Stay calm, restate the claim, and ask for reasons or data.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)