Appeal to fear

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An appeal to fear is a logical fallacy that occurs when a debater tries to scare people away from an opinion.

The fallacy is an appeal to consequences, an appeal to emotion, and an informal fallacy.

Alternate names[edit]

  • argumentum ad metum
  • argumentum in terrorem
  • Believe it or Burn, whether at the stake or in Hell.
  • argument from intimidation
  • scare tactic

Form[edit]

P1: X is scary.
P2: (unstated) Scary things are bad.
C: X is bad.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]