This fallacy occurs when an argument relies on manipulating feelings in order to make a conclusion convincing. While many arguments will create emotional responses, this fallacy occurs mainly when this tactic is used to mask the unreasonableness of an argument (either because it is not logical or uses untrue reasons). Be careful of anyone who tries to persuade you to accept an argument by playing on your emotions instead of relying on the reasonableness of the argument.
Example Argument: Eat all of your broccoli because there are starving children in Africa.
Let’s break this down:
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Premise: There are starving children in Africa.
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Conclusion: You should eat all of your broccoli.
By making you feel guilty about there being starving children in Africa, this argument is playing on your emotions to convince you to eat all of your broccoli. This argument, as stated, is illogical because there is no clear connection between starving children in Africa and your desire to eat your broccoli.