Which fallacy is characterized by distracting from the truth by appealing to pity?

The fallacy that distracts from the truth by appealing to pity is known as Argumentum ad misericordiam. This type of argument attempts to sway opinions by invoking sympathy or compassion for an individual or group, rather than addressing the actual merits or logical aspects of the argument at hand.

In situations where this fallacy is employed, the focus is shifted away from the relevant issues, such as data, facts, or logical reasoning, towards eliciting an emotional response. By eliciting feelings of pity or compassion, the argument may persuade an audience without providing a sound logical basis, which can ultimately obscure the truth of the matter being debated.

In contrast, the other fallacies mentioned do not primarily rely on emotional appeals to pity. Appeal to tradition emphasizes the status quo or long-standing practices without questioning their validity. The strawman fallacy misrepresents an opponent's position to refute it easily without addressing the actual argument. The slippery slope fallacy suggests that a relatively minor step will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without a logical connection between them. None of these involve a direct appeal to pity in the way Argumentum ad misericordiam does.