How do you handle emotional appeals in arguments?

1 Identify the emotion

The first step is to identify the emotion that the speaker or writer is trying to elicit in you. Is it fear, pity, anger, joy, or something else? How does it make you feel? Does it affect your judgment or reasoning? Be aware of your own emotional reactions and try to separate them from the argument itself. For example, if someone is trying to scare you into buying a product or voting for a candidate by exaggerating the risks or dangers, ask yourself whether the claims are supported by facts or evidence, or whether they are based on assumptions or exaggerations.

2 Evaluate the relevance

The second step is to evaluate the relevance of the emotion to the argument. Does it have anything to do with the issue, the claim, or the evidence? Or is it a distraction, a diversion, or a red herring? Emotional appeals can be relevant if they are used to support a valid argument or to illustrate a point with an appropriate example or anecdote. However, they can also be irrelevant if they are used to appeal to pity, to attack the person, to appeal to popularity, or to appeal to tradition. For example, if someone is trying to persuade you to adopt a certain policy or practice by appealing to pity for a specific person or group, ask yourself whether the policy or practice is justified by logical reasons or evidence, or whether it is based on emotion alone.

3 Challenge the validity

The third step is to challenge the validity of the emotion. Is it based on facts or evidence, or on opinions or beliefs? Is it reasonable or exaggerated, consistent or contradictory, fair or biased? Emotional appeals can be valid if they are based on reliable sources, accurate information, and sound reasoning. However, they can also be invalid if they are based on false or misleading information, logical fallacies, or cognitive biases. For example, if someone is trying to convince you to accept a certain conclusion by appealing to fear of a slippery slope, ask yourself whether the conclusion follows from the premise, or whether it is based on a hypothetical scenario that may not happen.

4 Seek alternative perspectives

The fourth step is to seek alternative perspectives on the issue, the claim, or the evidence. How do other people view the same situation? What are their arguments, reasons, and emotions? How do they differ from yours? Seeking alternative perspectives can help you broaden your understanding, challenge your assumptions, and avoid confirmation bias. It can also help you empathize with others and respect their opinions, even if you disagree with them. For example, if someone is trying to influence you to adopt a certain attitude or behavior by appealing to joy of a bandwagon effect, ask yourself whether the attitude or behavior is beneficial or harmful, or whether it is based on your own values or preferences, or on social pressure or conformity.

5 Think critically

The fifth step is to think critically about the issue, the claim, and the evidence. Use your logic, reason, and evidence to evaluate the argument and its emotional appeals. Ask questions, seek clarification, and verify information. Avoid jumping to conclusions, making generalizations, or accepting arguments at face value. Think for yourself and form your own opinions based on sound judgment and rational thinking. For example, if someone is trying to sway you to agree with a certain position by appealing to anger of a straw man fallacy, ask yourself whether the position is accurately represented, or whether it is distorted or simplified to make it easier to attack.

6 Communicate respectfully

The sixth step is to communicate respectfully with the speaker or writer and with other people involved in the argument. Recognize that emotions are part of human communication and that they can have positive or negative effects. Respect the emotions of others and express your own emotions in a constructive and polite way. Avoid using emotional appeals to manipulate, deceive, or offend others. Use emotional appeals to support your arguments, not to replace them. For example, if someone is trying to inspire you to join a cause or a movement by appealing to joy of a positive emotion, ask yourself whether the cause or the movement is worthy of your support, and whether you can express your joy in a respectful and responsible way.