Fallacies of Pathos are arguments that rely excessively on emotions to persuade the audience, without sufficient supporting evidence or logical reasoning. They exploit our natural emotional responses to manipulate our judgment and sway us towards a certain conclusion, even if the argument itself might be weak or flawed.
One of the earliest categorizations of these fallacies is illustrated in Aristotle's "Rhetoric" (330-322 BC), which distinguished persuasion through logos (logic), ethos (carachter, credibility), and pathos (emotion).
One of the most common modern fallacy of pathos is the "Affective" fallacy (also known as "Follow Your Heart"). The idea underpinning this logical fallacy is that one's feelings and emotions are both innate and self-validating, and thus immune to challenge or criticism.
As we will see on a future essay on the myth of the "Authentic Self" - coming soon! - these ideas, however flawed, remain persistent in the contemporary arena of self-development.
Reimagine what is next.
Transformational coaching for leaders ready to disrupt their own narrative.
Responses