Argumentum Ad Baculum is an informal fallacy where one appeals to the threat of force as a reason to accept a conclusion.  Wikipedia says that the Latin means, “argument to the cudgel or appeal to the stick.”  One of my favorite examples of this has to do with the Roman Catholic Church and the Copernicum Revolution.  Copernicus proposed the idea that the Sun was the center of the universe (heliocentrism).  This was a huge paradimatic break from the view that the Earth was the center of the universe (Ptolomey’s geocentrism).  The Church felt that Copernicus’ proposal was in direct contradiction of the teaching of Scripture.  Their response towards those who supported this view provide wonderful illustrations of the fallacy of Argumentum Ad Baculum. 

Consider the story of Giordano Bruno (1548-1600).  He envisioned a multitude of solar systems in limitless space and believed in the astronomical hypothesis of Copernicus.  The Church threatened his life unless he changed these views amongst others.  Bruno refused to be convinced by the ad baculum and was burned at the stake as a heretic! 

It should be noted that an official expression of “profound sorrow” and acknowledgement of error concerning Bruno’s condemnation to death was made during the papacy of John Paul II.  I am sure Bruno feels vindicated. 

If any of you reading this thread fail to provide other examples of the informal fallcy called Argumentum Ad Baculum, then the administrators of the board will be forced to suspend your membership.  

Brian

Brian, if you don’t retract that last paragraph we will be forced to find you and beat you up!

So the Argumentum Ad Baculum is like a biased question.

My math teacher was explaining survey questions, and a biased question was one of his examples.

His example went “I’m your favorite teacher, Right?”

Biased questions and Argumentum Ad Baculum aren’t exactly alike, but they are the same by trying to force the person to do one thing, or answer one way.

Right?

Bri

The teacher’s question might be an “appeal to fear” propaganda technique if the students felt they had to give an answer to get good grades in the future. <smile>

I’m sure my parents used this a thousand times on me when I was yet under their tender care, usually having something to do with linking the doing of chores to the eating of dinner.
My mom even had a biblical proof text.

I’m puzzled about the last paragraph in the thread starter.
However, let’s stick to the topic.

Argumentum Ad Baculum probably occurs in the business world more than one would realize.

I’m certain many appeals to “I’m the Boss [accompanyied by the oft unspoken presuppositions: I the Boss can bring about consequences for disobeying or dissing or whatever me]” have been utilized in business and industry.

I’m wondering if sometimes AAB is part and parcel with circumstances of superiors “hitting on” employees for donations, contributions, and, on other tine of a different fork:  for unethical relationships & such.

Roland