According to Chapter 10 in the textbook, an appeal to emotion is a “premise that you should believe or do something because you feel a certain way.“ This concept is very important when you are trying to reason in an argument. For example, if you saw an advertisement on T.V. regarding poor African kids suffering from malnutrition, then you will become swayed by your own emotions to help them out. There are actually three different aspects of appeal to emotion. The first one is “appeal to pity” in which you feel really sorry for someone and you wish to help them out. In the previous example, I mentioned an ad about poor African kids suffering from malnutrition. If you feel sad for them, then you would want to donate money to aid them. Then you can make the following argument:
“If you feel sorry for the African kids, and you have enough money to help, then you should send them money.”
This type of argument is an “appeal to pity”.
Another type of appeal of emotion is known as the “appealing to fear” which is a “way politicians and advertisers manipulate people”. This type of concept gives people the feeling of fear. For example, if you see an ad featuring a car running over someone due to speeding, then you would feel very cautious about driving. From that, the following argument can be made:
“You should drive at the correct speed limit if you are afraid of running into someone.”
Lastly, an appeal to spite is based on the principle that “two wrongs make a right” which means that you should only help the people who had helped you out in the past. Otherwise, you shouldn’t help them. Basically, you are returning the favor to someone only if you owe them and not to the ones you never owed. Here is an example:
“You shouldn’t help John pay for his debts, because he wouldn’t help you pay for your debts last year.”
Out of the three concepts of appeal to emotion, I think the one that strikes me the most is the appeal to pity because it helps me make better decisions.
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The commercials about those in need can be very powerful and touching. The appeal to emotion invites people to donate money to their cause. Sometimes though, the organizations motives are sneaky, and they do not give all their proceeds to their charity. It is important not to be swayed into every cause! I like to donate food or clothes or actual stuff instead of money. Unless of course, it is an organization to like fight off diseases... I cannot really donate a nice sweater to that! Lol. When used appropriately, appeal to emotion can boost an argument enormously. It is also very persuasive when not overdone.
ReplyDeleteI really do not like those commercials that show all those poor kids and beaten up animals. But what can you do? It pops up and you just feel guilty for not doing anything. I think it is unfair how people do that in commercials. With sad music in the background. But what we need to realize is that sometimes it should not be us doing something but their government. I may sound a little bit cold when saying this, but if they have a corrupt government and are not helping their own people, then that's their fault. Sorry If I hurt anyones feelings when posting this comment. I just believe taht it is not our responsibility for these people and animals.
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