“The Argument from Intimidation by” Ayn Rand is an article about a type of fallacy that Rand coins the Argument from Intimidation. Shee notes that this argument is similar to the ad hominem fallacy, which consists of trying to refute an argument by impeaching the character of its proponent. However, the Argument from Intimidation demands the victim to disregard their idea without further discussion by imposing moral self-doubt, fear, guilt, or ignorance onto them. Rand uses the example of the Emperor’s New Clothes to show how intimidation is used when the conmen sold non-existent clothing to the Emperor claiming that the clothing’s beauty makes it so that only those who are smart, competent, and fit to work can see them. Of course, the clothing did not exist but the Emperor pretended they did in order to seem worthy. Rand also notes that the Argument of Intimidation not only takes place in what is verbally said, but also in what is non-verbally implied. Certain facial cues and even inclinations in the tone of one’s voice can convey the crushing disapproval of others. Rand goes on to point out that this method of argumentation is often used when the debater lacks evidence or any argument at all, which shows that they are actually the ones that lack intelligence although they would like …show more content…
Rand asserts that college professors try to evade questions they can’t answer and stifle independent thinking by diminishing the student’s argument. They make the student seem like they are foolish by refuting with a claim that the student should have already known. In politics the Argument from Intimidation is used to smear other politicians’ image by making assertions without any evidence in order to make the viewer think less of them. Overall, the problem with this tactic is that it substitutes moral judgement for intellectual