Read the following passage from "Resistance to Civil Government" by Henry David Thoreau:
A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men. When the majority shall at length vote for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left to be abolished by their vote. They will then be the only slaves. Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his own freedom by his vote.
How does Thoreau use logos in this passage?
A.
By demonstrating the soundness of his argument through analogy
B.
By establishing his credibility by relating his expertise on the subject
C.
By providing factual evidence that his claims are trustworthy
D.
By evoking in readers the negative feelings associated with slavery
A. By demonstrating the soundness of his argument through analogy
C. By providing factual evidence that his claims are trustworthy
The correct answer is C. By providing factual evidence that his claims are trustworthy.
Thoreau uses logos in this passage by providing factual evidence to support his argument that leaving important issues to chance or majority rule may not lead to the desired outcome. He argues that the majority voting for the abolition of slavery may only happen when they are either indifferent to slavery or when there is very little slavery left to abolish. Thoreau's argument is based on the logical reasoning that the majority may not always act virtuously or in the best interest of society as a whole. By presenting this logical reasoning and factual evidence, Thoreau appeals to reason and logical thinking to support his point.