Lesson 20: Appeal to Pity

Spot the Faulty Logic #

“You have to give me an A on this project. I worked so hard on it and I’ve been having a really tough week. My dog is sick and I’ve been so stressed. Please?”

Discussion: Talk with your teacher about this example. What’s wrong with using these reasons to argue for a better grade?

How/Why It’s Often Used #

Sympathy is a powerful emotion. When we feel sorry for someone, we want to help them feel better. This natural compassion can be manipulated to bypass logical evaluation. Someone might use their difficulties or sad circumstances to get what they want, even when those circumstances aren’t relevant to the decision.

This fallacy often appears in requests for grades, favors, exceptions to rules, or special treatment. While compassion is important, it shouldn’t replace logical evaluation of whether something is deserved or appropriate.

Appeal to Pity in Action #

Did you spot the faulty logic? #

The grade should be based on the quality of the project, not on how stressed the student was or whether their dog is sick. Those are reasons to offer emotional support, but they don’t change what grade the work deserves.

Second Example #

“You should let me borrow your bike. I really want to go to the park and I’ll be so sad if I can’t go!”

The Flaw #

The desire to go to the park and potential sadness don’t create an obligation for someone to lend their bike. A logical argument would address why lending the bike is reasonable - not just that the person will be sad without it.