What is Ad Populum? “If many believe so, it is so.’’

Ad populum visual

Definition: An argument which one believes is true because many other people believe it. Appeals to popularity. Bandwagon: A fallacy in which the threat of rejection by one’s peers is substituted for evidence in an argument.

Example of Ad Populum from the internet: "I read the other day that most people really like the new gun control laws. I was sort of suspicious of them, but I guess if most people like them, then they must be okay." UiufjcUhttps:// UiufjcU

Example of Ad Populum from The Crucible: ABIGAIL: (looking about in the air, clasping her arms about her as though cold): I -- I know not. A wind, a cold wind, has come. (Her eyes fall on Marry Warren.) MARY WARREN: (terrified, pleading): Abby! MERCY LEWIS: (shivering): Your Honor, I freeze!... SUSANNA WALCOTT: I freeze, I freeze! DANFORTH: (himself engaged and entered by Abigail): Mary Warren, do you witch her? I say to you, do you send your spirit out?“ This is where the people accuse Mary warren of sending her spirit out and “witch” these women by making them cold and feel like they’re affected by spirits. Because they are all accusing her, Danforth uses what they are saying collectively as evidence against Abigail.

Example 2 Proctor: (handing Danforth a paper). “Will you read this first, sir? It’s a sort of testament. The people signing it declare their good opinion of Rebecca, and my wife, and Martha Corey.” This is an example of ad populum because Proctor is using the popular opinion of the townspeople as evidence to defend these three women.

Sources 537/Classes/1232/Bandwagonhttp:// 537/Classes/1232/Bandwagon Quote 1: Act 3, pg. 219 Quote 2: Act 3, pg. 212