Appeal to Fear/ Scare Tactics By Christina Scott and Josh Owen
Definition The use of fear that is intended to promote the belief that the conclusion is a valid countermeasure, but the emotional association has no bearing on valid logical inference.
Examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8caqMnrvXg – Palin This shows the fear of the situation portraying the possible threat. It encourages the public to vote otherwise and prevent this from happening.
“Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again “Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again? I am sick of Hell!” – Proctor
Fallacy Tracking: The Crucible Act1 Speaker: Proctor Tells how Paris’ preaching is only about the devil. Pg. 180 When Proctor is explaining how Paris only preaches about the devil, it creates fear and suspicion towards Paris.
“You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” -Paris
Fallacy Tracking: The Crucible Act 1 Speaker: Paris Paris is threatening Tituba to confess. Pg. 188 Tituba is convinced she must confess to witchcraft prevent herself from being beaten and killed.
“My wife will never die for me “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!” -Proctor
Fallacy Tracking: The Crucible Act 2 Speaker: Proctor Proctor threatens Mary to tell about the doll in court. Pg. 205 He is using threats to make her tell the truth so Elizabeth isn’t convicted.
“She’ll kill me for sayin’ that. Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mr “She’ll kill me for sayin’ that! Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mr. Proctor!” -Mary Warren
Fallacy Tracking: The Crucible Act 2 Speaker: Mary Mary is explaining that if she confesses in court, Abigail will kill her. Pg. 205 Abigail has shown her power and Mary fears repercussion if she disobeys her.
“…she falls to the floor “…she falls to the floor. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he drew a needle out.” -Cheever
Fallacy Tracking: The Crucible Act 2 Speaker: Cheever Explaining that Abigail was stabbed with a needle in the stomach. Pg. 203 In explaining the needle incident, fear is created in the court. Many of the people may fear that the same thing may happen to them.
Bibliography "Fallacy: Appeal to Fear." Holocaust Educational Resource. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.