Logos is a mode of persuasion that appeals to logic. Logos has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used today to communicate reason. We’re going to look at a variety of logos examples, but first, let’s explain what it is, and how it’s different from the other rhetorical appeals: ethos and pathos.
Logos Examples
Logos vs pathos vs ethos
Aristotle outlined logos, pathos, and ethos as the three modes of persuasion in his book Rhetoric. These “rhetorical appeals” are used to appeal to logic, emotion, and credibility.
Writers and speakers use these “rhetorical appeals” to persuade people to their point of view. Now that we know what logos, pathos, and ethos are, let’s look at some logos examples.
Logos Examples
Actual proof vs apparent proof
There are two types of “proofs” of logos: actual proof and apparent proof.
Actual proof is irrefutable evidence.
Apparent proof is evidence that appears logical but may actually be misleading.
Both actual proof and apparent proof have logical appeal. Aristotle goes into more detail on proofs in Rhetoric; diagnosing two main subtypes: inductive and deductive reasoning.
Examples of Logos
Deductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a “top to bottom” process of testing whether or not an assumption is true. Aristotle argued that deductive reasoning was a result of “a priori” reasoning, which he defined as “syllogistic;” i.e. premises adding up to a conclusion.
Perhaps the most iconic example of deductive reasoning is:
Socrates is a man, all men are mortal, therefore Socrates is mortal.
Here, the premises, “Socrates is a man” and “all men are mortal,” add up to a conclusion that “Socrates is mortal;” which happens to be true. This proves the deduction to be logical; or logos.
However, not all premises add up to a sound conclusion. For example:
All dogs have eyes, I have eyes, therefore I am a dog
The general assumption, that “all dogs have eyes” and that “I have eyes” are true, yet we know that the conclusion “therefore I am a dog” does not make logical sense. This proves the deduction to be illogical; or lacking logos.
Logos Examples Sentences
Inductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning is a “bottom to top” process of making generalized assumptions based on specific premises. This can be done both synthetically or analytically through “types” of knowledge known as “a posteriori” reasoning. This is done through observation and experience.
A good example of inductive reasoning is:
It has snowed every December for the last five years, it will probably snow this December too
Here, the observation that it “has snowed every December for the last five years” implies a frequency and consistency that makes the prediction that “it will probably snow this December too” logical; or logos.
Conversely, an induction can be illogical, or lacking in logos. Here’s an example:
70 out of 100 people to first exit the polls voted for Candidate A, therefore Candidate A is going to get 70% of the vote
This sort of inductive reasoning is known as a hasty generalization. The observation that “70 out of 100 people to first exit the polls voted for Candidate A” may be sound, but the prediction that it will correlate to a “same” final result does not account for context. Perhaps there will be 10 million more votes, or early voters historically vote in a particular way. We simply don’t have enough information to make a logical prediction.
Logos Literary Examples
Logos in literature
There are a lot of examples of logos in writing. Logos is used in literature to make us see the “reason” behind certain characters’ thoughts and beliefs. Edgar Allan Poe characterized his detective C. Auguste Dupin through a “reasoning power.” Check out the excerpt from “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” below:
Quote
“I soon noticed a special reasoning power he had, an unusual reasoning power. Using it gave him great pleasure. He told me once, with a soft and quiet laugh, that most men have windows over their hearts; through these he could see into their souls. Then, he surprised me by telling what he knew about my own soul; and I found that he knew things about me that I had thought only I could possibly know. His manner at these moments was cold and distant. His eyes looked empty and far away, and his voice became high and nervous. At such times it seemed to me that I saw not just Dupin, but two Dupins — one who coldly put things together, and another who just as coldly took them apart.”
– Edgar Allan Poe
Dupin uses this “reasoning power” to deduce the culprit behind the murders in the rue morgue. However, the flip-side of his characterization is that he lacks pathos despite being able to “coldly” analyze the emotions of others.
Example of Logos in Advertising
Logos advertisement examples
Advertisers use logos to appeal to consumers’ sense of logic. For example, advertisers may say “9 out of 10 dentists recommend their brand,” which makes it sound like choosing any other brand would be illogical. If nearly all dentists say it’s the best, then shouldn’t you buy it too?
Logos Commercial Examples • #1 Dentist Trusted Toothpaste
Of course, there’s usually a statistical fallacy in such logos advertisement examples. Nine out of ten dentists may choose that brand, but the criteria may also allow them to select ten other brands along with it. People have developed a natural skepticism of logos in advertising due to the prevalence of statistical fallacies, or what Aristotle would call misleading “apparent proof.” However, the appearance of a credible professional also adds ethos.
Logos Examples
Logos in speeches
Logos is first and foremost an art of the orator. If you can appeal to logic and reason through speech, you’re well on your way to mastering logos. President Barack Obama used logos, pathos, and ethos in speeches to connect with a large swath of voters. This excerpt demonstrates an excellent utilization of logos.
Quote
“All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates in America are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should be making it easier, not harder, to vote. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our congressional districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes.”
– Barack Obama
Here, Obama appeals to peoples’ sense of reason by highlighting issues then proposing logical solutions. His unifying tone is meant to persuade audiences regardless of political affiliation.
Up Next
What is Telos?
We talked about logos, pathos, and ethos – but what is telos? In our next article, we’ll explain what telos is, alongside some insightful examples. By the end, you’ll know the definition of telos, as well as how it’s used by writers, speakers, and marketers.
