How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 199
Examples of Appeal to Authority
Dave and Kintaro are arguing about Stalin's reign in the Soviet Union.
Dave has been arguing that Stalin was a great leader while Kintaro disagrees with him.
Kintaro: "I don't see how you can consider Stalin to be a great leader. He killed millions of his
own people, he crippled the Soviet economy, kept most of the people in fear and laid the
foundations for the violence that is occuring in much of Eastern Europe."
Dave: "Yeah, well you say that. However, I have a book at home that says that Stalin was
acting in the best interest of the people. The millions that were killed were vicious enemies of
the state and they had to be killed to protect the rest of the peaceful citizens. This book lays it
all out, so it has to be true."
I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the hit series "Bimbos and Studmuffins in the OR." You can
take it from me that when you need a fast acting, effective and safe pain killer there is nothing
better than MorphiDope 2000. That is my considered medical opinion.
Siphwe and Sasha are having a conversation:
Sasha: "I played the lottery today and I know I am going to win something."
Siphwe: "What did you do, rig the outcome?"
Sasha: "No, silly. I called my Super Psychic Buddy at the 1-900-MindPower number. After
consulting his magic Californian Tarot deck, he told me my lucky numbers."
Siphwe: "And you believed him?"
Sasha: "Certainly, he is a certified Californian Master-Mind Psychic. That is why I believe
what he has to say. I mean, like, who else would know what my lucky numbers are?"
Source: The Nizkor Project - http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/index.html#index
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