“Argumentum ad Baculum”
An Offer You Can’t Refuse
What is Argument ad Baculum?
Threatening, coercing, or bribing to win an argument.
Business Application
This managerial style, sales tactic, or personal lifestyle choice is toxic and should be avoided at all costs. There is such thing as bad press and the internet makes it even easier for victims to expose such illegitimate means of influence.
Example
“It’s my way or the highway!“
Why This is a Fallacy
Forcing a conclusion through threats is a last ditch effort of the unpersuasive.
Tom Waters
Owner at Everyday Sales
Everyday Sales is an online resource for sales and business education. We expose the psychological exploits used in sales and marketing to empower our clients to become better professionals. Our feature content includes Sales in Cinema, Cognitive Biases in Business, Logical Fallacies in Business, and Quotes Deconstructed.
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