How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Appeal to Spite

Disciplines > Argument > Fallacies > Appeal to Spite

Description | Discussion | Example | See also

Description

The other person has spiteful feelings towards certain people. So frame your argument to support this, legitimizing the spitefulness, framing it as 'right'.

Even if they do not have specific people in mind, there are generic groups which can be invoked, such as politicians and those who are rich and advantaged.

Demonize these 'bad' people, making them universally bad and deserving of retribution. Frame the other person as good and just, with right on their side. Show them how the actions you are suggesting will serve righteous justice on those who deserve it.

Example

If you buy this dress you'll be the belle of the ball. And you'll really show up those poor fools who can't afford such luxury.

Don't you hate the way the planning committee always helps their 'friends'. This is a great way to get what you want and really show them up.

Give it to me, not them. They don't deserve it.

Discussion

Spitefulness is a negative emotions can be based in the needs for control and status. Sometimes it is unfounded, based in bullying. At other times it comes from a need for justice and revenge.

To act in negative ways towards other, people tell themselves stories that justify their actions, typically saying 'they deserve it'. An appeal to spite supports this story and so creates a bond with the other person which leads them to accept the fallacious argument.

There is a universal delight in the discomfort of others. Germans have a word for this: schadenfreude. There is hence humor in seeing others slip on a banana skin. There is additional delight in seeing those who put themselves above you taking a fall.

Appeal to Spite is a special case of Appeal to Emotion.

Classification

Appeal

Also known as

Argumentum ad Odium