Introduction
Surprisingly, this is yet another subjectivist fallacy that is bought hook, line, and sinker by the general population, despite cold hard facts which contradict a proposition. This fallacy is sometimes the "fall back" argument when all the facts have pointed in the opponent's direction. It is the fallacy of "last-resort", and is commonly coupled with ad hominem attacks. When someone has all the cards on their side (like the Catholic Church, for instance), the only thing left for the opponent to engage in is the mud slinging jingles: "intolerant", "bigoted", "backward", "cruel", "evil", etc. etc. etc.
Definition
The fallacy that purports to argue a proposition on the basis of the emotion elicited.
Illustrations
Argument #1: Celibacy is a false doctrine. It causes enormous torment on those priests who cannot control their sexual urges. It's absolutely cruel.
Argument #2: Abortion should be legal or else millions of women will continue to die in "back alley abortions."
Diagnosis
The person who tries to advance this argument is appealing to the righteous indignation of his audience. Invoking such emotions as fear, sympathy, guilt, anger or other emotions, the proponent of this fallacy is hoping that his audience will focus on the rhetorical side of the argument rather than the substantial side of it. Rhetoric combined with substance, of course, is a powerful combination which helps sway an audience, the positive impact of which should not be downplayed. However, when rhetoric is used exclusively or even primarily, then the fallacy becomes more and more apparent as the argument progresses. From a Catholic perspective, the fallacy is a common one used by the enemies of the Church, in particular those who are hostile to the Church's moral teachings on human life and sexual morality. Our opponents, when they have no real proof for their positions - but only weak presuppositions and wild assumptions - will invariably resort to this kind of "scare-mongering" or "tea-and-sympathy" tactics.
Antidote
The rather harsh schoolmaster in Charles Dickens' novel, Hard Times, has the best strategy for this type of fallacy. "Now, what I want is, facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out every thing else." The best rhetorical use of emotions can be squashed by mentioning one little uncomfortable fact to the speaker. He can go on at great length with his deft skill and colourful flower, building up the confidence of his audience in his position, only for it to come crashing down around his feet with one quick little factual sentence placed nicely right between an "Indeed" and a "Therefore". It's that simple. Keep bringing your opponent back to the facts and you will succeed in advancing your position at the expense of his.
John Pacheco
The Catholic Legate
August 24, 2001