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Appeal To Motive


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Appeal To Motive

Appeal to Motive is a type of fallacious reasoning that occurs when an argument is made based on the assumption that the person being addressed is motivated by personal gain or self-interest. It is a form of ad hominem argument, in which the speaker attempts to discredit their opponent by appealing to their motives, rather than refuting the opponent’s argument with facts or evidence. This type of reasoning is considered to be a cognitive bias and logical fallacy because it doesn’t give people the full story or all the facts before making a decision. One important aspect of Appeal to Motive is that it can be difficult to identify. This is because it often involves subtle cues and insinuations rather than overt accusations. For example, a politician might accuse their opponent of being motivated by greed or self-interest without actually saying so explicitly. This can be particularly effective in swaying public opinion, as it plays on people’s natural tendency to be suspicious of others’ motives. Another key aspect of Appeal to Motive is that it can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, it is commonly used in advertising to persuade people to buy a particular product or service by appealing to their desires or needs. It can also be used in legal arguments, where lawyers may attempt to discredit a witness by suggesting that they have a personal motive for testifying a certain way. Despite its widespread use, Appeal to Motive is generally considered to be a fallacious form of reasoning. This is because it fails to address the merits of the argument itself and instead relies on the audience’s potential biases. As such, it is important to be aware of this type of reasoning and to critically evaluate arguments based on their factual content rather than on the motives of the person making the argument.

fallacious reasoning, ad hominem argument, cognitive bias, advertising, legal arguments

John Thompson

214439
Appeal To Motive

Appeal To Motive is a type of reasoning that’s used to persuade someone to do something. It works by appealing to the person’s feelings or motives - like their need to feel important, or their desire to be liked or accepted by others. People may use this type of reasoning to try and get someone to do something that they want, without considering the person's own needs or interests. This type of reasoning is considered to be a cognitive bias and logical fallacy because it doesn’t give people the full story, or all the facts, before making a decision.

Appeal To Motive, Cognitive Biases, Logical Fallacies

Thomas Lee

213928
Appeal To Motive

Appeal to Motive is a cognitive bias and logical fallacy that occurs when an argument is made based on the assumption that the person being addressed is motivated by personal gain or self-interest. It is a form of ad hominem argument, in which the speaker attempts to discredit their opponent by appealing to their motives, rather than refuting the opponent’s argument with facts or evidence. This fallacy is often used in an attempt to manipulate the person being addressed, as it fails to address the merits of the argument itself. This form of argument is considered logically fallacious, as it does not provide any evidence to support the argument and relies solely on the audience's potential biases.

Appeal to Motive, Ad Hominem, Cognitive Bias, Logical Fallacy, Manipulation.

Jessica Adams

CITATION : "Jessica Adams. 'Appeal To Motive.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=213928 (Accessed on March 29, 2024)"


Appeal To Motive Definition
Appeal To Motive on Design+Encyclopedia

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