Appeal to Flattery
Appeals to Emotion and Desire
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Name:
Appeal to Flattery
Alternate Names:
Sucking Up
Apple Polishing
Other "colorful" expressions
Category:
Fallacy of Relevance > Appeals to Emotion
Explanation
The fallacy known as Appeal to Flattery occurs whenever a person attempts to compliment or flatter another in order to get her to accept the truth of a proposition. In some instances, it may be implied that the person deserves the flattery because they accept the position in question. This is type of Fallacy of Relevance because kind or flattering words simply aren't relevant to the truth of an idea or validity of a position. It is also categorized as an Appeal to Emotion because it appeals how a person feels about herself rather than her ability to critically analyze a claim.
Examples and Discussion
An unusually obvious instance of this fallacy can be seen in this example:
1. Mary, you look fabulous in that dress. Did you know that the Earth is the seventh planet from the sun?
This proposition about the Earth is certainly untrue but, for some reason, it is expected that Mary might believe it simply because she was complimented on her lovely dress.
Here is an example which is just as obvious, but which is a bit more likely to actually be used by someone:
2. Your history seminar was the best class I had all semester, Professor Smith. I stopped by today in order to talk about my grade...
This, obviously, is where we get the term "Apple Polishing." In an attempt to get a better grade, the student first flatters the professor about how wonderful the course was; some professors may be influenced by that, but most won't.
Here is an example which emphasizes the idea that many instances of the Appeal to Flattery occur with the implication that the flattery is deserved because the target accepts the position being argued:
3. You, as an intelligent person, shouldn't have any problems understanding how atheism is superior to theism.
Whether atheism is superior to theism or not is unaffected by how intelligent the listener or reader is - such flattery is just a transparent attempt to influence the person emotionally, rather than logically.
It should not be assumed from these examples that all attempts to compliment an audience are examples of the Appeal to Flattery fallacy. Good writers and speakers normally make an effort to tailor their words to an intended audience and to get that audience to feel at ease. A fallacy is committed, however, when that is *all that they really do. When their words lack substance and are obviously designed to do nothing but flatter - that is when we have a problem.
It is likely that most people have seen the fallacy of Appeal to Flattery used in commercials and other forms of advertising:
4. Of course I drink Schmitt's beer - I'm worth it. Aren't you?
5. People who know their cars choose the Thunderbolt.
Politicians are also commonly guilty of committing this fallacy:
6. I'm just "plain folks," exactly like you. We make decisions based upon common sense, and that's why I'm a better candidate than my opponent.
7. I know that like me, you are all decent, god-fearing, patriotic Americans - but my opponent isn't. Why would you vote for someone who doesn't hold the same traditional, patriotic values that you hold dear?
Both of the above examples would surely make an audience feel good about themselves, but they hardly qualify as substantive reasons to vote for the speaker rather than for his political opponent. Indeed, we should feel quite embarrassed if someone like this manages to get us to believe something after appealing to our smugness or pride.
Prevention and Treatment
If you want to avoid committing the Appeal to Flatter fallacy, it isn't necessary to abandon all attempts to compliment or be nice to an audience. There is nothing wrong with saying nice things and making someone feel at ease. Indeed, a good author or speaker must be able to do that from time to time. What is important is that, if all such niceties were eliminated, a sound and coherent argument would remain. If that is the case, then you are probably in decent shape.
Other Appeals to Emotion:
Appeal to Poverty / Appeal to Money
Appeal to Novelty / Appeal to Age
Appeal to Force / Fear (Argumentum ad Baculum)
Appeal to Pity (Argumentum ad Misercordiam) Appeal to Flattery
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