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]
- See the Wikipedia article on Appeal to fear.
- Appeal to Fear, Bruce Thompson