Argumentum ad baculum

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Argumentum ad baculum (Latin: argument to the cudgel or appeal to the stick), also known as appeal to force, is an argument where force, coercion, or the threat of force, is given as a justification for a conclusion. It is a specific case of the negative form of an argument to the consequences.

Contents 1 As a logical argument 1.1 Examples 2 See also 3 External links

[edit] As a logical argument

A fallacious logical argument based on argumentum ad baculum generally has the following argument form:

If x does not accept P as true, then Q.

Q is a punishment on x.

Therefore, P is true.

For example:

If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, you will go to hell.

Therefore, Jesus Christ is God.

In other words, This is right because if you do not believe it, you will be harmed.

This form of argument is an informal fallacy, because the attack Q may not necessarily reveal anything about the truth value of the premise P. This fallacy has been identified since the Middle Ages by many philosophers. This is a special case of argumentum ad consequentiam, or "appeal to consequences".

[edit] Examples

• "I don't remember owing you any money. If I do not pay this supposed debt, you will beat me up and hurt my family. Therefore I do owe you some money."
• "God exists, because if you don't believe in Him you will go to Hell."
• "Our political views are right and you should agree with them, because if you do not we will put you in a Gulag."

[edit] See also

• Logical fallacy
• Conformity
• Bullying
• Pascal's Wager

[edit] External links

• About.com article on Argumentum ad Baculum

v • d • e Fallacies of relevance General Absurdity • Accident • Ad nauseam • Argument from ignorance • Argument from silence • Argumentum ad populum • Base rate fallacy • Compound question • Fallacy of many questions • Argument to moderation • Naturalistic fallacy • Proof by assertion • Irrelevant conclusion • Special pleading • Straw man • Style over substance fallacy • Two wrongs make a right Appeals to emotion Fear • Flattery • Nature • Novelty • Pity • Ridicule • Repugnance • Spite Genetic fallacies Ad hominem (Ad hominem tu quoque) • Appeal to authority • Appeal to motive • Appeal to tradition • Appeal to wealth • Appeal to poverty • Association fallacy • Bulverism • Chronological snobbery • Ipsedixitism • Poisoning the well • Appeal to Etymology • Reductio ad Hitlerum Appeals to consequences Appeal to force • Wishful thinking