Question

Most of the following selections were taken from letters-to-the-editor columns of news papers and magazines. Identify any fallacies that may be committed, giving a brief explanation for your answer. Then, if a fallacy is identified, discuss the possible factors that led the arguer to commit the fallacy.I was incensed to read in your article about the return of anti-Semitism that New York City Moral Majority Leader Rev. Dan C. Fore actually said that "Jews have a God-given ability to make money, almost a supernatural ability . . ." I find it incredibly ironic that he and other Moral Majority types conveniently overlook the fact that they, too, pack away a pretty tidy sum themselves through their fund-raising efforts. It is sad that anti-Semitism exists, but to have this prejudice voiced by leaders of religious organizations is deplorable. These people are in for quite a surprise come Judgment Day.

Answer 1

Answer:

Appeal to pity.

Explanation:

A fallacy is elucidated as the error or flaw in reasoning or logic of an argument that makes it invalid and unsound and affects its validity.

'Appeal to pity' is demonstrated as the fallacy or illogical reasoning in which the arguer attempts to gain support of the audience through exploitation of the opponent's emotions of pity.

In the given example, 'appeal to pity' fallacy has been demonstrated as the author illogically aims to establish the truth of his conclusion('return of anti-semitism') and win audience's support emotionally by manipulating the opposition's sense of emotion or pity('find it incredibly ironic that he and other Moral Majority types conveniently overlook the fact that they, too, pack away a pretty tidy sum themselves through their fund-raising efforts which is deplorable'). Thus, 'appeal to pity' is the correct answer.