Logically Fallacy

Appeal to Fear

Syllogism:
Appeal to Fear: A specific type of appeal to emotion, the argument is made by
creating or instilling fear of the opposing party. The target
individual is persuaded to agree to your point by subtle or
obvious threats. > Example of a obvious threats: Public
executions of criminals, to put fear in the populace to not do the
same.

This is a deceptive argument, because it’s appealing to someone’s fear of the unknown, and not on facts.

Latin Name: Argumentum ad baculum, or argument based on threat. Argumentum ad metum, appeal to fear.

Fallacious:

This means of ‘reasoning’ is fallacious because rather appealing to facts of a situation; you are rather appealing to fears within a person, hoping that their fears will work in accord with your whishes.

Two of My Own Examples:

#1 – Boss talking to employee

Boss: “I know you have filled your log book for this week, but if you don’t take this extra shift you’re fired”

-Appealing to the employee’s fear of being fired, the employer ‘forces’ him
to take the extra shift.

#2 – Scare tactic

“I hope you don’t like your bike to much, because if you tell anyone, its mine.”

-Appealing to fear of loosing his bike, the target won’t tell anyone.

Media Example: Yes I Quoted STAR WARS!!!

[R2-D2 and Chewbacca are playing the holographic game aboard the Millennium Falcon]

Chewbacca: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrgh
C-3PO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it can't help you.
Han Solo: Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
C-3PO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
Han Solo: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their sockets when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
Chewbacca: Grrf.
C-3PO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, R2: let the Wookiee win.

-Appealing to having their arms ripped out of their sockets, the two droids
let Chewie win. "Let the Wookie win" is some of the best advice given in
Star Wars. After all, it is much healthier to be a loser than to be an armless
winner.