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Appeal to Force
(argumentum ad baculum)
Definition:
The reader is told that unpleasant consequences will follow
if they do not agree with the author.
Examples:
- You had better agree that the new company policy is the
best bet if you expect to keep your job.
- NAFTA is wrong, and if you don't vote against NAFTA
then we will vote you out of office.
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
26 May 1995 / 06 January 1996
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