Ad Populum/
Appeal to Popularity/
Bandwagon
Krystal Sims & Makayla Glass
Definition:
- An argument aimed to sway popular
support by appealing to sentimental
weakness rather than facts and
reasons.
- “If many believe so, it is so.”
" Most people believe in a god; therefore, it
must prove true. "
Bandwagon Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMa
UiufjcU&feature=player_detailpage
This is an example of bandwagon because if
a lot of people don’t like a team, the team
isn’t good, but if a lot of people do like the
team, the team is the best.
Universal Example
 " Claiming a movie to be the "Best movie of 2008"
just because many people liked it. “
- Since so many people liked a certain movie, that
makes it the “best movie.”
 "Since 88% of the people polled believed in UFOs,
they must exist.“
- UFOs exist because a larger percentage of people
believe in them.
Crucible Example
Proctor and Mary have gone to the court to protest against Abigail, and
once Proctor has told on himself about him committing lechery, Abigail
begins acting as if Mary’s spirit is trying to attack her. When Mary tries to
speak to Abigail, Abigail and the other girls mock her trying to make it seem
like Mary is controlling them. No one believes Mary that she is doing nothing
and that Abigail is pretending, so they assume that Mary is a witch.
Character: Abigail and the Girls, and Mary Warren
Act Three, Page 224
Abigail: “Mary, please don’t hurt me!”
Mary Warren: “I’m not hurting her!”
Danforth: “Why does she see this vision?”
Mary Warren: “She see’s nuthin’!”
Abigail and the girls: “She see’s nuthin’!”
Mary Warren: “Abby, you mustn’t!”
Abigail and the Girls: “Abby, you mustn’t!”
This is illogical
because everyone in
the court is believing
all the lies and
denying the truth.
Also, the girls know
that they are not
hypnotized by Mary,
but they act like they
are to continue the
belief of witches and
so they will not get in
trouble.
Crucible Example
Proctor and Mary have gone to the court to protest against Abigail, and for Proctor to
prove his point he says, “I’ve known her.” Right then and there Proctor told on himself
for committing lechery with Abigail. However, the court refuses to believe it is so.
Danforth calls Elizabeth into the court room to confirm this statement. Elizabeth does
not know that Proctor had told on himself and she lies for him to protect his name;
therefore, Proctor is looked upon as a liar.
Characters: Danforth and Elizabeth
Act Three, page 223
Elizabeth: “I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I
think, and put her out on the highroad.”
Danforth: “Your husband- did he indeed turn from you?
Elizabeth: “My husband – is a goodly man, sir.”
Danforth: “Then did he not turn from you?”
Elizabeth: “He-”
Danforth: “Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever
committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a
lecher!”
Elizabeth: “No, sir.”
Citations:
“What is an example of Ad Populum?”
Answers.com. nd. Web.10 Feb. 2012.
Walker, Jim. List of Common Fallicies.
Nobeliefs.com, 27 July 1997. Web.10
Feb 2012.
Williams, Cheryl. Amazing Grace.ckmag.com, 17 June 2011. Web. 10 Feb.
2012.