Difference between revisions of "Appeal to guilt"
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| − | + | ==Overview== | |
| + | [[category:rhetorical deceptions]]An [[appeal to guilt]] is a form of [[emotional argument]] in which the target is encouraged to feel guilty or shameful for holding the views for which they are arguing, often by ascribing unprovably-false motives to the target, or motives which may seem "obviously true" even though they are not. | ||
| + | '''Also known as''': appeal to shame | ||
==Validity== | ==Validity== | ||
The "appeal to guilt" is acceptable as a way of ''shaming'' an opponent into accepting an otherwise-valid argument when logic and reason have failed. Use of the "appeal to guilt" does not automatically invalidate the substance of the argument in which it is used; it is more of a signal that there may be unspoken assumptions which need to be examined more closely. | The "appeal to guilt" is acceptable as a way of ''shaming'' an opponent into accepting an otherwise-valid argument when logic and reason have failed. Use of the "appeal to guilt" does not automatically invalidate the substance of the argument in which it is used; it is more of a signal that there may be unspoken assumptions which need to be examined more closely. | ||
Revision as of 01:38, 15 July 2009
Overview
An appeal to guilt is a form of emotional argument in which the target is encouraged to feel guilty or shameful for holding the views for which they are arguing, often by ascribing unprovably-false motives to the target, or motives which may seem "obviously true" even though they are not.
Also known as: appeal to shame
Validity
The "appeal to guilt" is acceptable as a way of shaming an opponent into accepting an otherwise-valid argument when logic and reason have failed. Use of the "appeal to guilt" does not automatically invalidate the substance of the argument in which it is used; it is more of a signal that there may be unspoken assumptions which need to be examined more closely.