This fallacy occurs when someone seeks acceptance by pointing out the negative consequences that befall them.
• I know we don’t love each other. However, if we don’t get married, it will crush my mother. You know she has a weak heart. Do you really want to do that to her?
• If we do not accept the puppy today, they may put it down. Do you want to be responsible for that?
Examples of Appeal to Pity Fallacy
Example # 1:
I really deserve to get an “A” on this paper, professor. Not only did I learn during my grandmother’s funeral but I also underwent heart transplant surgery, even though that was the first donor of the same amount in three years.
Explanation: The student deserves an “A” for the effort and dedication but, unfortunately, the papers are not written that way.
Example # 2:
Harris: Your dog just ran to our house and searched our kitchen!
Manie: She would never do that, look how cute she is with those puppy!
So, from above it is understood that, grieving does not relieve a person of guilt, even if he or she is a funny and lovable puppy.
Opposition to the ad Misericordiam:
The contradiction of deception is done when compassion or feeling related to empathy or compassion to make a conclusion is accepted. Disputes about a sympathetic complaint or related feelings to gain acceptance of a conclusion are examined.
Examples In the Media:
I recently watched “The Circle” and saw a deceptive attraction when the main character, Julia, talked to a co-worker at a party. Their exchange ends as follows:
Workmate: Currently, I work on Child Track. This program protects children from predators. The second child is not where it should be, the warning goes off, and the child can be tracked for 90 seconds.
Julia: Wow. They put a bracelet or…?
Worker: We put chips in their bones.
Julia: [Laughs]
Workmate: [Looking at Julia with harsh words]
Julia: Are you … determined?
My colleague: I am committed to quickly reducing the kidnapping, rape and murder by 99%.
Julia responds with an eye for agreement, as if to say, “oh, we really want to keep the kids safe.”
Few ad misericordiam fallacy that follow:
1. Public Schools, K to 12, need to have very simple tests for students because teachers do not fully understand the extent of the traumatic and depressing effects of many students who can do better in simple tests.
2. Members of the ANC can see in their hearts that they must vote to approve the passage of the Firearms Bill which allows for hidden weapons because their members who are fighting for gun freedom will be very sorry if they do not do so.
3. Public Schools, K to 12, need to have very simple tests for students because teachers are not fully aware of the level of sadness and frustration results that many students can get the best marks from simple tests.
Examples in Politics
The foreign aids should not be stopped. The with drawl of aids may lead to disaster to third world nations and shall be forced to condemned all those poor people to a life of poverty, disease, and despair! You don’t want all those people to die due to not receiving the aids?”
For example:
Women: “I am an old woman widower, who needs financial support and only dependent on her son. If my son is moved to military and gets killed, I will not be able to take this tragedy and will not survive. ”
Explanation: This is an appeal for pity; it is not used to support an assertion. Therefore, it is not fallacious.
There is nothing wrong with considering such genuine situations. Sympathy for good cause is a good thing. However, appeals to pity have no place in normal address.