Fandom High School

"Appealing to the emotions of your crowd is a quick and easy way to score points in a debate," Cindy said as soon as the bell rang. She was perched on the edge of her desk, in between the coffee thermos and the box of assorted donuts. "The easiest thing about it? You don't actually need facts to back it up, just a basic knowledge of human psychology. Say, for example, you're addressing a group of parents and you need to sway them to your side? There are any number of ways you can convince them without stating a single useful fact. You can use their natural fear for their children to get the on your side; not doing what you suggest could lead to dreadful consequences for their families. Or you can relate a sad and pathetic story to touch on their feelings and end with 'will someone just think of the children!'. Or you can explain how any parent who raises such talented and gifted children as they have can surely see the merit in your argument. Finally, you can mention how whatever you're arguing for will lead to a desirable outcome, making your argument true. These are all examples of appeals to emotions: fear, pity, flattery, and consequences."

She gave a stack of handouts to Hinata if she was there to pass around and continued. "There are other emotions you can appeal to as well: spite, ridicule, ignorance, wishful thinking. Humans are generally very emotional and illogical creatures. We prefer to be right more than we care about being correct; this is why identity politics are still so potent today. When we identify with a specific group, we want that group to win, regardless of what their stances are. If they win, we are right. If an argument appeals to what we already believe, then we are more inclined to trust it. Thus the construction I am a good parent. Good parents believe X. Therefore I believe X."

She looked very serious as she addressed the class. "These arguments are the most insidious and the most difficult to counter. They're harder to notice for one. Who doesn't want to be told that they're right, or smart, or a good parent/citizen/whatever? People get so wrapped up in the emotions, they fail to realize what proofs are being offered to back up those claims. And even if you do notice and move to counter, the situation can rapidly turn into an 'us versus them' mentality where you become the bad guy simply because you disagree. In these cases, it is usually best to tread lightly, using similar tactics as your opponent, but making sure your emotional appeals contain facts. There is nothing wrong with using emotions to make your points, but you have to have the facts to back it up."

[One sec for the OCD up! Today's activity involves arguing either for or against some current hot-button items by appealing to the emotions. Please remember that the arguments presented are for the activity ONLY and may not even represent the true opinions of the characters, never mind the muns. These arguments are, by design, intended to be fallacious.]