Pathos

To appeal to one's pathos is to appeal to their emotions. This is a rhetorical tool used to great effect by many. The reason it is so effective is that it plays with an audiences' fears, their hopes and dreams. In many instances, such emotions can overrule logic completely. Some rhetorical speakers will argue directly with pathos in mind, playing off of the emotions of their audience, using it to further their goals. In fact, we see it more and more today in politics for example. Many political pundits tend to appeal to the gut feelings of their audience, rather than the rational, logical side. This is due to the fact that these rhetoricians do not intend their audience to think (for thinking would invite people to see the number of holes inherent in their arguments) rather they intend to tell their audience what to think. This is not a partisan trait, it belongs to members of each and every ideal set. I believe this was said best by the venerable, Stephen Colbert.

"That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works." - Stephen Colbert, 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

If used wisely, the appeal to pathos is a strong rhetorical tool. When abused, it can have unintended effects. Throughout history, mobs of people have been convinced by their leaders to do unspeakable things. The secret? Their leader plays on their fears, goading them to actions that would not normally consider. As such, we must be careful how we use pathos. We must not come too dependent on it, it can never replace logic and real facts, but in moderation, it is a strong tool.