Appeal to Fear
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
An appeal to fear tries to persuade by frightening people rather than presenting evidence.
An appeal to fear tries to persuade by frightening people rather than presenting evidence.
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 we don't pass this law, chaos will take over the city.
- Buy this product or you'll be unsafe.
- If you disagree, the country will collapse.
How to respond
- Ask how likely the feared outcome is and why.
- Look for data or mechanisms, not threats.
- Consider alternative explanations or outcomes.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Is fear ever relevant?
Yes, but it must be backed by evidence and realistic probabilities.
How do I avoid fear-based reasoning?
Pause, quantify the risk, and ask for specific evidence.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)