In the recent Republican debate, Newt Gingrich got into a battle with Mitt Romney over taxation. Newt claimed that Romney raised taxes while governor of Massachusetts, but Romney in rebuttal claimed that he lowered taxes 19 times. I follow the presidential election pretty closely, so I decided to look further into it. Turns out both were technically right. While governor of Massachusetts, Romney lowered income taxes, he also significantly raised taxes on corporations. Romney slashed income taxes, but also raised taxes by $140 million in one year on businesses. So both had "half-fallacies" in their argument. (edit: sorry, forgot to include which type) Both are using examples of "stacking the deck". Both are ignoring information that is harmful to their campaigns, but broadcasting information that strengthens it. Sounds similar to a lot of politics these days.
Pathos/Logos/Ethos Analysis:
Pathos: I think right off the bat, Mr. Collins plays the pathos card. "Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections." I think this is a clear example of flattery. He is trying to "bribe" his way into her heart. Another example is "For, as almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life!" He is also using flattery here, as he is attempting to make her feel singled out and the she alone is the one he wants to marry, raising her self esteem.
Ethos: He establishes his personal authority with the sentence "First, I think it a right thing for every clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish." He acts as if clergyman is a highly important position, and claims to be very informed on the subject of marriage. Not only does he use personal authority, but he brings outside authorities in to help strengthen his argument. Mr. Collins states "I should have mentioned first, that it is the particular recommendation of my noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh! "Mr. Collins", she said, "you must marry". This use of an outside source makes it seem as if he is not alone in his quest to gain Miss Elizabeth's hand in marriage.
Logos: Mr. Collins also uses a heavy dose of logos throughout his argument. Mr. Collins states "My dear cousin, being, as I am, to inherit all this estate after the death of your father, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters." He claims it is only logical to marry one of the daughters, as their father has gifted him so much. In a sense, he thinks it is logical to "repay" him. He also states "My dear Miss Elizabeth, my situation in life, my connection with the noble family of de Bourgh, are circumstances highly in my favour." He is attempting to make the claim that he is well off enough to provide the level of happiness necessary for Miss Elizabeth.
Wanted to add my get to know you in here as well!
I'm an 18 year old, born in Naperville, Illinois. I spent most of my first 10 years there, but moved to Denver, Colorado at age 11 and have been there ever since. I'd like to think I'm a pretty chill person, I like almost anything. I hope to leave for my mission in August of this year! My hobbies include skiing, tennis, golf, basketball, and frisbee. I'm currently an undecided major, but I'm pretty sure I'll be going into an economics degree. For some strange reason, I love following the stock market and have been investing since age 12. If you ever need insider trading, I'm your man. I'm actually not opposed to writing, but I wouldn't call what I have talent. I love to learn, I love to smile (dorky, I know) and I love getting to know new people, so feel free to say hi anytime you see me!
Interesting example of a fallacy--it shows that fallacies can (and frequently do) happen on both sides of an argument. It would be helpful, though, to label which fallacy you are specifically talking about.
ReplyDeleteNice examples of e/p/l
Natalie
I really liked your example of a fallacy. It is the first example that I have read that had both sides with a fallacy.
ReplyDeleteI also liked your first example of pathos very much because I too have used flattery when flirting with the ladies.
I find your fallacy example kinda funny. Each candidate is trying to make themselves look the best, while attacking the other characters. But as you research more, you will find many things about a candidate that they would never say. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your Presidential campaign debate fallacies, it is hard to find any attack on a candidate these days that is 100% true.
ReplyDeleteGreat example on fallacy that is very relevant (I didn't know Romney had both raised and lowered taxes). Interesting how politicians always tell us what they think we want to hear, and will bend it however they have to to get it there.
ReplyDeleteI thought that fallacy was a really good example. You're right that happens in politics all the time, because who wants to tell people all the bad things they've done. I think this is also very obvious in almost any argument, because people are afraid that if they say the things that they have failed at no one will trust them. However, it is almost the opposite people who have failed have only truly failed if they didn't learn from the experience.
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