Appeal to fear
Also called: Scare tactic
Trying to win by frightening people about what happens if they disagree.
How to spot it
Is the danger real and shown, or only suggested?
Example
“Without this insurance, one accident could ruin your family.”
How to answer it
Ask how likely the danger is, what the evidence is, and whether the proposal would actually prevent it.
Related
- Appeal to emotion: Using feeling, such as pity, anger or guilt, in place of reasons.
- Slippery slope: Claiming that one small step will inevitably lead to a terrible outcome, without showing each link.