Appeal to emotion
Also called: Appeal to pity
Using feeling, such as pity, anger or guilt, in place of reasons.
How to spot it
Is the feeling replacing the evidence? Would the argument still stand with the emotion removed?
Example
“If you cared about the team, you'd vote for my plan.”
How to answer it
Take the feeling seriously, then ask what it shows about whether the claim is true.
Related
- Appeal to fear: Trying to win by frightening people about what happens if they disagree.
- Loaded question: Asking a question that has a disputed assumption built into it.