tlbowen.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web viewAn Inconvenient Truth. The episode, aired in season...
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Taylor Bowen Zdenek ENGL 4360 24 October 2012 Multimodal Exposition: Introduction Robert Gula presents numerous logical fallacies in his Nonsense book; however, there was one I found particularly interesting and frequently used. It is the appeal to authority or argumentum ad verecundiam. Gula explains fallacies are merely error in reasoning, he puts emphasis on the error of the conclusion rather than the statements or premises that form said conclusion. The appeal to authority fallacy focuses on the use of an authoritative or famous position to advocate a certain idea. “A statement or opinion of some outside source is often referred to in order to strengthen an argument. The statement or opinion of that outside source, however, may not be relevant to the specific issue at hand”(Gula, 64). He delves further into detail with a connection to testimonial propaganda addressed in his book. This suggests we are to support the idea or product because of the prominence of the person or organization promoting it. I chose to illustrate this fallacy with examples of politics and popular media. Argumentum ad verecundiam is seen in politics when famous persons back or advocate a specific party or candidate. There are several instances you will see in the movie. Also, one of my favorite shows is South Park, especially the character Eric Cartman. He has many famous lines, including “you will respect mah authoritah!” I thought this comically relevant. The main example, however, is a popular parody. The creators of South Park made one of their best episodes surrounding Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. The episode, aired in season 10, uses an animated Al Gore to inform the city of South Park of the dangers of
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Transcript of tlbowen.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web viewAn Inconvenient Truth. The episode, aired in season...
Taylor Bowen
Zdenek
ENGL 4360
24 October 2012
Multimodal Exposition: Introduction
Robert Gula presents numerous logical fallacies in his Nonsense book; however, there was one I found particularly interesting and frequently used. It is the appeal to authority or argumentum ad verecundiam. Gula explains fallacies are merely error in reasoning, he puts emphasis on the error of the conclusion rather than the statements or premises that form said conclusion. The appeal to authority fallacy focuses on the use of an authoritative or famous position to advocate a certain idea. “A statement or opinion of some outside source is often referred to in order to strengthen an argument. The statement or opinion of that outside source, however, may not be relevant to the specific issue at hand”(Gula, 64). He delves further into detail with a connection to testimonial propaganda addressed in his book. This suggests we are to support the idea or product because of the prominence of the person or organization promoting it.
I chose to illustrate this fallacy with examples of politics and popular media. Argumentum ad verecundiam is seen in politics when famous persons back or advocate a specific party or candidate. There are several instances you will see in the movie. Also, one of my favorite shows is South Park, especially the character Eric Cartman. He has many famous lines, including “you will respect mah authoritah!” I thought this comically relevant. The main example, however, is a popular parody. The creators of South Park made one of their best episodes surrounding Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. The episode, aired in season 10, uses an animated Al Gore to inform the city of South Park of the dangers of Manbearpig. He uses his past political prominence to create a sense of importance on this matter; the audience knows there is no real issue, but if it were real life, someone might just believe silly ole Al Gore.
The movie, I think, stands alone and needs little explanation. I hope the examples are easily understood and you enjoy the movie!
Below is the link to my movie.
