appeal to the Man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeal to the Man" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used in discussions about logical fallacies, particularly when referring to an argument that attacks a person's character rather than addressing the argument itself. Example: "In the debate, he resorted to an appeal to the Man instead of providing evidence for his claims."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There is something else about Miller that seems to appeal to the man born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Brooklyn in 1890, though.

Independent

As he later admitted, the deterrent "had an emotional appeal to the man in the pub", omitting to say that this might not be the case for the man in the party.

The Guardian

Last September, Roy Moore, the chief justice of Alabama, said sentencing laws needed to be changed in the state in light of Brooker's plight, after the state's supreme court reluctantly refused to overturn an appeal to the man's sentence.

The Guardian

The medieval moralists sought a more secure foundation for determining ethical action than Aristotle's appeal to the man of practical wisdom (phronimos).

SEP

Appeal to the Man (Argumentum ad hominem).

Huffington Post

A few weeks earlier, students had been introduced to fallacies, which included the appeal to the man and the fallacy of origins.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At the outbreak of the war, Minister of Militia and Defense Sir Samuel Hughes scrapped the carefully laid plans for a mobilization of the existing militia and instead launched a direct appeal to the men of Canada.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I want to appeal to the men of the underworld to suspend their actions and operations in the interim because of our foreign visitors currently in the state," the lawmaker, Edward Ayo Odugbesan, said.

The New York Times

Fraternity-house humor has been an intrinsic element of Super Sunday advertising for many years, the better to appeal to the men ages 18 to 34, weaned on gross-out comedy, who predominate among the more than 140 million Americans estimated to have watched at least part of the game.

The New York Times

The result can be entertaining and intelligent, as in her analysis of the Playboy philosophy, by which the role of breadwinner was "deferred rather than abdicated," or of the shift in advertisements for men's underwear, from an emphasis on wash-and-wearability, which catered to wives, to Calvin Klein's direct appeal to the men themselves.

The New York Times - Books

You look into the victims' faces: some have already given up, while one or two beg, supplicate, appeal to the humanity of the men with the guns.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "appeal to the Man", consider the context carefully. It can sometimes be interpreted as relying on personal connections or qualities rather than objective merits. Be mindful of potential negative connotations and ensure clarity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "appeal to the Man" when you actually mean to present a logical argument. This phrase implies leveraging personal influence, which is different from reasoned persuasion. If you are presenting evidence or logical reasoning, avoid this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to the Man" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of persuasive technique. It can denote a strategy that targets an individual's character or personal attributes, often instead of directly addressing an argument's merits. Ludwig AI notes that it may not be a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to the Man" describes a method of persuasion that targets personal attributes rather than addressing an argument's substance. While Ludwig AI identifies it as not a standard expression, its usage spans News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. It's crucial to recognize that this phrase can highlight attempts to sway opinions through non-objective means, particularly in contexts where logical argumentation is expected. When using this phrase, be mindful of its potential negative connotations and aim for clarity to avoid misinterpretations. Using alternatives, such as "appeal to the person" or "appeal to their humanity" may convey similar meaning with a slightly different focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeal to the person

Replaces "man" with the more general term "person".

appeal to the individual

Emphasizes appealing to someone on a personal level.

make a plea to the man

Replaces "appeal" with "make a plea", indicating a more urgent request.

appeal to their humanity

Focuses on the humane aspect of appealing, rather than simply the individual.

entreat the man

Replaces "appeal" with "entreat", signifying a more earnest or emotional request.

try to influence the man

Replaces "appeal" with "try to influence", focusing on the effect of persuasion.

attempt to persuade the man

Similar to 'try to influence', highlighting the attempt at persuasion.

address the man directly

Focuses on the act of speaking to someone, rather than the intent to persuade.

attract the man

Focuses on drawing someone's attention or interest.

ask the man

Uses a very basic and direct way of seeking something from someone.

FAQs

How can I use "appeal to the Man" in a sentence?

You can use "appeal to the Man" to describe an attempt to persuade someone by referencing their specific character, emotions, or biases, rather than using logic. For example: "The politician's speech was largely an "appeal to the Man", focusing on voters' fears rather than policy details."

What's a more formal alternative to "appeal to the Man"?

While "appeal to the Man" can be used neutrally, a more formal alternative would be to describe the specific tactic used, such as an "ad hominem argument" or a "personal appeal", depending on the situation.

Is "appeal to the Man" the same as an ad hominem fallacy?

The phrase ""appeal to the Man"" is often used interchangeably with the ad hominem fallacy, but it can also refer more broadly to any argument that targets a person's characteristics or circumstances. Ad hominem specifically refers to attacks on character to discredit an argument.

How does "appeal to the Man" differ from a logical argument?

An ""appeal to the Man"" relies on personal connections, emotions, or character traits to persuade, while a logical argument uses evidence and reasoning to support a conclusion. The former is often considered a fallacy, while the latter is considered sound argumentation.