Hello,
We are going to learn about Star Power.
What is it?
In academia, a corrupt argument from ethos in which arguments, standpoints, and themes of academic discourse are granted fame and validity or condemned to obscurity solely by whoever the reigning âstarsâ of the discipline are at the moment.
Where does it occur?
E.g., âNetwork Theory has been thoroughly criticized and is so last week!. This week everyoneâs into Safe Spaces, Trigger Warnings, and Pierceâs Theory of Microaggressions.
Why do I need to know
At the popular level this also refers to a corrupt argument from ethos in which popular support for a standpoint or product is established by a well-known or respected figure (e.g. a star athlete or entertainer) who is not an expert and who may have been well paid to make the endorsement (e.g., âOlympic gold-medal pole-vaulter Fulano de Tal uses Quick Flush Internet-shouldnât you?â
Or, âMy favorite rock star warns that vaccinations spread cooties, so Iâm not vaccinating my kids!â ). Includes other false, meaningless or paid means of associating oneself or oneâs product or standpoint with the ethos of a famous person or event (e.g., âTry Salsa Cabria, the official taco sauce of the Winter Olympics!â).
References & Studies: -
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sac-businesscommunication/chapter/fallacies/
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