Logical Errors

Logical Fallacies

Faulty Arguments

Relevance

Mob Appeal

The fallacy of mob appeal calls upon the hearer to align with a large group of people who presumably share a common interest and to accept a certain conclusion without subjecting it to logical evaluation. Antony's famous speech in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar began "Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears!" This is probably the best-known example of mob appeal. In this kind of expert manipulation process, the speaker arouses the emotions of the hearers so effectively that they forget to review the facts of the case and compare them against the proposed conclusion. William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech, at a political convention in 1896, had the same effect. As he delivered his famous ending lines "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns! You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!" Bryan assumed a dramatic pose reminiscent of the crucifixion of Christ. The crowd burst into thunderous applause, hoisted him to their shoulders, and marched him around the convention hall. That speech played an important part in his nomination for the presidency.

Parent Topics:

Map of Logical Errors