  Aristotle has considered the art of communication as a balance of logos,
ethos, and pathos. While in science, logos (reason) and, recently also, ethos
(morality) are discussed as aspects not to be neglected, pathos (feeling) is
seen critically. In this work, we take a historical perspective on pathos and
weigh the pros and cons of applying this rhetorical concept to the field of
data visualizations. To better understand data, connecting it to the human way
of thinking is imperative - appealing to emotions is one building block. The
theoretical and empirical basis originates from different scientific fields,
like social sciences, economics, and humanities. Tangible techniques to target
empathetic emotions in data visualizations are introduced, as well as other
rhetorical devices, such as interactivity and contextual framing, are
highlighted. Researching these different approaches can provide new insights
regarding the creation and influence of empathetic emotions in data
visualizations.
