{"id":488519,"date":"2023-04-21T17:03:50","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T15:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=488519"},"modified":"2023-10-09T13:35:56","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T11:35:56","slug":"ad-hominem-fallacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/fallacies\/ad-hominem-fallacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Ad Hominem Fallacy | Definition & Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ad hominem fallacy<\/strong> (or ad hominem<\/strong>) is an attempt to discredit someone\u2019s argument by personally attacking them. Instead of discussing the argument itself, criticism is directed toward the opponent\u2019s character, which is irrelevant to the discussion.<\/p>\n

Ad hominem fallacy example<\/figcaption>Person 1: <\/strong>I think it is important to enforce minimum-wage legislation so that workers are not exploited.<\/p>\n

Person 2:<\/strong> Nonsense. You only say that because you just can\u2019t get a good job!<\/figure>\n

Ad hominem fallacy is often used as a diversion tactic to shift attention to an unrelated point like a person\u2019s character or motives and avoid addressing the actual issue. It is common in both formal and informal contexts, ranging from political debates to online discussions.<\/p>\n

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What is the ad hominem fallacy?<\/h2>\n

Ad hominem fallacy<\/strong> is a group of argumentation strategies that focus on the person making an argument rather than their viewpoint. This involves an attack on any aspect of the opponent\u2019s personality, like their intelligence, reputation, or group affiliations. The attack can be subtle, such as casting doubt on a person\u2019s character, or overt, like insulting someone.<\/p>\n

\"Ad<\/a><\/p>\n

The ad hominem fallacy is a logical fallacy<\/strong>, specifically a fallacy of relevance, i.e, the argument raised is irrelevant to the discussion. An ad hominem fallacy appeals to our emotions and prejudices rather than facts.<\/p>\n

Ad hominem<\/strong> literally means \u201cto the person\u201d as in being \u201cdirected at the person.\u201d An ad hominem argument<\/strong> is therefore an attack directed against the person who makes a statement rather than the validity of their statement. In everyday language, this is known as a personal attack.<\/p>\n

The goal of an ad hominem argument or ad hominem attack is to refute an opposing view indirectly, without ever engaging with it. The target of the attack usually feels the need to defend themself and thus digress from the discussion topic, which shows just how powerful ad hominem arguments are.<\/p>\n

When is an ad hominem argument valid?<\/h2>\n

An ad hominem argument is not always fallacious. Because ad hominem arguments have been associated with dirty tricks and name-calling, they are usually considered as hits below the belt that do not advance a healthy debate.<\/p>\n

However, an ad hominem argument can sometimes be used as a legitimate rhetorical strategy. When the claims made about a person\u2019s character are relevant to the discussion or the conclusions being drawn, and they are properly justified, the ad hominem argument is valid.<\/p>\n

For example, attacks on a person who has cheated on their partner are irrelevant to the quality of their mathematical reasoning, but they are relevant to deciding whether this person should be the leader of an association that emphasizes family values.<\/p>\n

Different types of ad hominem arguments<\/h2>\n

Ad hominem arguments can take various forms. In some cases, they are almost always a fallacy, while in other cases they can be valid depending on how they are used. Here are the most common types of ad hominem arguments:<\/p>\n