Appeal to spite

An appeal to spite (also called argumentum ad odium) is a fallacy in which someone attempts to win favor for an argument by exploiting existing feelings of bitterness, spite, or schadenfreude in the opposing party. Instead of an argument being made with supporting facts or evidence, the argument is made that you should support a specific position simply out of spite.

Appeal to spite should not be confused with fallacious ad hominem arguments which attack the people or groups associated with a particular view or belief in an attempt to discredit it.

Examples

• "If you vote for this tax cut, it will mean that the fat cats will get even more money to spend on their expensive luxury yachts, while you and I keep struggling to pay the bills."
• "Stop recycling! Aren't you tired of Hollywood celebrities preaching to everyone about saving the Earth?"

References

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