An appeal to fear (also called argumentum ad metum or argumentum in terrorem) is a fallacy in which a person attempts to create support for an idea by using deception and propaganda in attempts to increase fear and prejudice toward a competitor. The appeal to fear is common in marketing and politics.
Read more about Appeal To Fear: Logic, Example, Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, As Persuasion
Famous quotes containing the words appeal to, appeal and/or fear:
“[The Republican Party] consists of those who, believing in the doctrine that mankind are capable of governing themselves and hating hereditary power as an insult to the reason and an outrage to the rights of men, are naturally offended at every public measure that does not appeal to the understanding and to the general interest of the community.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us...”
—Bible: New Testament, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
“O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy,
In measure rain thy joy, scant this excess!
I feel too much thy blessing; make it less,
For fear I surfeit.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)