PLACE OF EMOTION IN ARGUMENT, THE

Appeals to emotion – pity, fear, popular sentiment – are commonly used in argumentation. Rather than dismissing these appeals as fallacious, Walton judges each use on its merits: He distinguishes three main categories of evaluation. First, is it reasonable, even if not conclusive, as an argument? Second, is it weak and therefore open to critical questioning for specific reasons? Third, is it fallacious? The third category is a strong charge that incurs a critical burden to back it up by citing evidence from the given text and context. REASONING FALLACIES (LOGIC) EMOTIONS