Investigating Ethos and Pathos in Scientific Truth Claims in Public Discourse

Abstract

The article seeks to explore the role played by the rhetorical modes of ethos and pathos when scientific knowledge is constructed in public discourse. A case study is presented on the public debate in Germany on possible risks to bees from neonicotinoid pesticides, focusing especially on a detailed analysis of scientific knowledge claims found in texts produced by two lobbying groups involved. The findings indicate distinctive rhetorical patterns in the context of scientific truth claims realising, for example, appeals to concern and the display of scientific competence and integrity.

Between Evidence and Emotions: Emotional Appeals in Science Communication

“…Similar results are revealed by Simon's (2020) linguistic analysis of different knowledge claims of possible risks of neonicotinoid pesticides, which are published in documents by the agricultural industry compared to environmental organisations. The author approaches emotions from a rhetorical perspective by distinguishing between ethos (measured as trustworthiness: expertise, integrity, and benevolence) and pathos.…”

“…• EmoƟonal messages and • scienƟfic storytelling (Lidskog, Berg, Gustafsson, & Löfmarck, 2020) • EmoƟons in NGO-and • industry documents (Simon, 2020) • EmoƟons in science • media coverage (Huber & Aichberger, 2020) • EmoƟons towards • science/scienƟsts (Humm, Schrögel, & Leßmöllmann, 2020) • EmoƟons as moƟve (Niemann, BiƩner, Schrögel, & Hauser, 2020) • EmoƟons during and • aŌer recepƟon (Reif, Kneisel, Schäfer, & Taddicken, 2020;Schneiders, 2020;Taddicken & Wolff, 2020) Janich ( 2020 What feels good is valuable and worth striving for (see also Pham, 2007). In addition, because individuals know that their emotions are strongly correlated with their values, they assume this is also the case with other people (Bromme & Gierth, in press).…”

“…The second thematic area of this thematic issue aims to discuss questions about professional emotional science communication content. Three articles in this thematic issue analyse texts by different science communicators on the topics of climate change (Lidskog, Berg, Gustafsson, & Löfmarck, 2020), possible risks of neonicotinoid pesticides (Simon, 2020) and-related-honey bee colony losses (Huber & Aichberger, 2020).…”

Gene Drives in the U.K., U.S., and Australian Press (2015–2019): How a New Focus on Responsibility Is Shaping Science Communication

“…Metaphors are also powerful rhetorical devices that can be used to support three classical strategies of persuasion: the appeal to logical arguments ( logos ), the appeal to emotions ( patho s), and appeals to the good character of the speaker and the shared values ( ethos ) ( Ferrari, 2018 ; Miyawaki, 2018 ). Appeals to emotions as well as to good character and trustworthiness are especially relevant for the studies of controversies, where opposing sides use a range of discursive tools to legitimize or de-legitimize a particular cause ( Simon, 2020 ).…”

Communicating Corrected Risk Assessments and Uncertainty About COVID-19 in the Post-truth Era

“…For instance, the phrase "flatten the curve, " meaning the reduction of the statistical count of infections and death by COVID-19, has been used as "a rhetorical anchor for communicating the risk of viral spread" (Amidon et al, 2021). Other rhetorical studies suggested that the elements of ethos and pathos have a prominent function when the science that is being communicated is associated with risk (Miller, 2003;Simon, 2020) or public contestation (Martini, 2018).…”