The Influential Use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos The use of nuclear weapons during a war is not appealing; nothing is exempt from destruction, not even human life. During World War II against Japan, a petition to US President Truman requested to discourage the use of the atomic bomb during the current state of Japan (Szilard). The author, Leo Szilard, was a scientist who studied and created explosive devices. During the 1945 war with Japan, the president's intent to deploy the bomb became apparent. Against these actions, Szilard wrote a petition using ethos, pathos and logos to support his claims. The President of the United States could choose to start a chain reaction using atomic bombs against other countries, or avoid a relentless path. Szilard begins his petition by drawing the reader's attention by stating that anonymous information exists that can influence the future of the American people. Next, reveal the information and conclude with who has the final authority to proceed or decline such actions. “Discoveries that the people of the United States are unaware of could affect the well-being of this nation for the foreseeable future. The liberation of atomic energy places atomic bombs in the hands of the Army. It places in your hands, as Commander in Chief, the fateful decision whether or not to authorize the use of such bombs in the current phase of the war against Japan” (Szilard). Szilard argued that dropping a bomb would be wrong and considered unjustified. The United States should make its planned attack public and give Japan time to surrender. “We believe, however, that such an attack on Japan cannot be justified under the current circumstances. We believe that the United States ... middle of paper ... Accepting such blame could elicit feelings of shame, embarrassment, and vulnerability. Szilard successfully used logos to prove his point. The first reason is that the president can decide to use atomic bombs. The second reason is that atomic bombs obliterate things, including human life. Both ideas are true making the conclusion also true. If the president decided to use atomic bombs, there would be the destruction of everything, including man. Szilard's petition was effective from start to finish. He immediately piqued readers' suspicions by stating that there is private information that could influence their future. He influentially supported his argument through ethos, pathos and logos. Although the President of the United States was not required to recognize the written request, he was aware that if he used atomic energy it could trigger a vicious circle.