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PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
Emotional appeals as fallacy occur when 'it becomes the means of deciding the soundness of an argument.' (87). Emotions being used to influence what is determined as fact.
This fallacy can be triggered by a person (s) abusing the emotions of the determined audience. To play on the emotional disposition of such an audience. (88).
The author writes that 'sentimens is a clever fallacy.' (89). Perhaps this should be documented as 'sentiments'; a more common usage.
If someone does not play along with this sentimental philosophical approach, he or she may be considered 'cold'. (89). This can lead to an abandonment of reason. (89).
In contrast, emotional fallacy should be abandoned. Not emotions, but the abuse of emotions should not be used in attempts to determine reasonable arguments and truth.
I have written articles on this website noting the dangers of sentimental theology. See Blogger search, top right.
Blackburn is helpful here noting on emotion. (117).
'Each indicates a state of some kind of arousal, a state that can prompt some activities and interfere with others.' (117).
Emotion should not interfere with reasonable, intellectual activity that decides soundness of arguments and truth.
Those emotional appeals can influence thought on academic and personal levels. A counter, I suggest, is a reasonably open-minded review of different views that oppose heartfelt ones. Even if these opposing views are not accepted it keeps one's own views sharper.
From a Christian, biblical perspective, one should seek God (and God the Father) through the incarnation of his Son, Jesus Christ who in eternal truth and the Holy Spirit, also a member of the eternal trinity (John 14).
Although the Scripture is not specific philosophy, philosophy of religion or scientific text, it can be reasoned that 'all truth is God's truth', and God should be sought for both biblical and extra-biblical knowledge. I am not meaning primarily (obviously!) an emotional religious, spiritual appeal to God, but one that encompasses the human experience of emotion and intellect.
BLACKBURN, SIMON, (1996) The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford University Press, Oxford
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
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