Appeal to Force
(argumentum ad baculum)
Definition:
The reader is threatened with unpleasant consequences if they do not agree with the author.
Examples:
(i) You had better agree that the new company policy is the best if you expect to keep your job.
(ii) You had better admit that racism is wrong or one day you might just find out how much you care about your wife and kids.
(iii) The defendant ought to be found innocent because if he isn't, there will be a riot and many innocent citizens will be hurt or killed.
(iv) Accept Jesus as your savior or face the rack and branding irons!
Proof:
Identify the threat and the proposition and argue that the threat is unrelated to the truth or falsity of the proposition.
References:
Cedarblom and Paulsen: 151, Copi and Cohen: 103
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