The Study Of The Traits And Dispositions Of The Lower

The study of the traits and dispositions of the lower

The study of the traits and dispositions of the lower animals and those of man renounces the allegiance to the Darwinian theory of the Ascent of man from the Lower Animals.

This essay explores how Mark Twain employs the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade his audience of his critical view of human nature compared to animals. It analyzes how Twain uses emotional appeals to evoke feelings of pity or disdain, ethical appeals to establish his credibility through personal experiments, and logical reasoning to support his argument that humans are inherently more sadistic and violent.

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Mark Twain’s “The Damned Human Race” is a sharp satirical critique of human nature that employs the classical rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the reader of his argument. He aims to demonstrate that humans, despite their supposed superiority, are more depraved, violent, and sadistic than any other animal. To do this convincingly, Twain skillfully integrates emotional, ethical, and logical appeals into his writing, making a compelling case that challenges the reader’s perceptions about morality and species hierarchy.

Firstly, Twain appeals to ethos—credibility and character—by asserting that he personally conducted the experiments and observations further strengthening his authority on the subject. He writes, “In the course of my experiments I convinced myself that among the animals man is the only one that harbors insults and injuries, broods over them, waits till a chance, then takes revenge”(Twain). Here, Twain not only claims personal involvement, which enhances his credibility, but also presents himself as an honest observer of human and animal behaviors. This ethical stance persuades the audience to trust his judgment and assessment of human cruelty, framing him as a credible critic with firsthand experience.

Secondly, Twain employs pathos—emotional appeals—to evoke feelings of shame, pity, and disgust towards human behavior. His description of humans’ cruelty towards animals and each other aims to stir sympathy and moral outrage in the audience. For instance, the quote, “And so I find that we have descended and degenerated, from some far ancestor,” appeals to the audience’s sense of loss or decline, evoking pity for the fallen state of humanity. Twain’s use of vivid language and poignant imagery is designed to activate strong emotional responses that reinforce his critique of human morality.

Thirdly, Logos—logical reasoning—is central to his argument. Twain presents observations from his experiments to demonstrate that humans are uniquely violent and vengeful. By comparing humans’ capacity for sustained insults and revenge to that of animals, Twain suggests that humans’ moral standards are hypocritical and flawed. He argues that, “man is the only one that harbors insults and injuries,” implying that human morality is self-serving and inconsistent. His logical structure builds toward the conclusion that human beings are not morally superior but are instead inherently vicious.

Overall, Twain’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos forms a persuasive triad that effectively challenges traditional views of human superiority. His personal credibility, emotional appeal to the audience’s moral sensibilities, and logical evidence from his experiments underpin his satirical critique, compelling the reader to reconsider the nature of humanity. Twain masterfully manipulates these rhetorical devices to craft an argument that is both humorous and profoundly unsettling, revealing the darker aspects of human nature that society often prefers to ignore.

References

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