guilt-control

When someone, or some party, attempts to use the concept of guilt (not necessarily actual guilt) in order to manipulate a person or people, into doing something that would be against their best interest. It's a tactic of manipulation that does not require actual guilt, just the presumption of guilt. Usage of the term asserts against the rhetorical trap of implied guilt, by summarily denying the implied guilt and exposing the guilt as an intended form of control.

party a: 10 years ago you got into that accident, and I know you say it wasn't your fault, but it's probably in our best interest if we never let you drive again.
party b: Your attempts at guilt-control are obvious, so please stop.

by zerowarranty August 16, 2024

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Guilt Tripping

Making someone for felling guilty for not doing something

Guy 1: "Guys I miss Izzie"
Guy 2: "What happened to Izzie?"
Guy 1: "Nothing i just miss her because she always has plans with her boyfriend"
That's guilt tripping (I didn't know how to include the word)

by J4C1< April 22, 2025

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Fallacy of Guilt by Support

The error of condemning an individual or group solely based on their association with or support for another entity deemed objectionable, without examining the nature, degree, or reason for that support. It assumes perfect ideological alignment and ignores the possibility of partial agreement, strategic alliance, nuanced critique, or simply being misinformed. It's a shortcut to moral judgment that prevents dialogue.

Example: "Person A donated to a charity that also, unknowingly, funded a controversial speaker one time. Therefore, Person A is a bad person who supports that speaker's worst ideas." This Fallacy of Guilt by Support bypasses Person A's actual intentions and the complexity of the charity's work to impose a blanket condemnation based on a distant, indirect link.

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 3, 2026

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