Part VI

So, pathos is everywhere, but is it the strongest? I do not think so. The strongest is ethos. Ethos, especially in the way it is often used today, is the ultimate pathos and the antithesis of logos. A most dangerous concoction of righteousness with a total lack of any thought. 

We have been conditioned in the modern world to obey any and all experts. To disagree is an affront to science, to society, or to some other overwhelming force. To even ponder disagreement invites criticism and shaming. Thus, when an expert speaks, you must either readily agree or silently disagree. All thought is removed from the equation. To even think about the issue creates the possibility of disagreement, which is basically illegal. This is the first dangerous component of many modern ethos-based arguments, the utter lack of thinking involved.

The second component is righteousness and security. To bring up the dog metaphor from the previous post, those who thoughtlessly believe any and everything they hear are like the little dogs. No power or ability to speak of, but empowered by the presence of their master, the expert. If their master tells them to protest, to riot, or to do nothing, they listen. Not because they genuinely agree, but simply because their master tells them to. Furthermore, because of the master, the little dog feels justified in whatever it does through the security. So long as it is in the master’s name, it is righteous. That’s why you see so many little dogs freaking out trying to protect their masters from non-existent threats.

Fundamentally, what is dangerous about the modern world is the propagation of ethos without logos. An expert is not correct because they have a degree; we’re all humans, and all humans are wrong sometimes. However, the current system creates an army of little dogs who do not think, yet feel that they are correct and righteous. A brainless army, you might say. This is the danger.

_{Cover photo by Jaylan Shuea}