Ad hominem

Ad hominem (pronounced: /æd ˈhɒmɪnɛm/; Latin for "to the person") is a term that originates from the field of logic and argumentation. It is a type of fallacy that involves a personal attack on an individual's character or personal traits, rather than addressing the substance of their argument or position.

Etymology

The term "ad hominem" is derived from the Latin preposition ad, which means "to" or "toward", and hominem, the accusative singular of homo, which means "man" or "person". Thus, "ad hominem" literally translates to "to the person".

Types of Ad Hominem

There are several types of ad hominem arguments, including:

• Abusive ad hominem: This is the most common form of ad hominem, where an individual attacks their opponent's character or personal traits in an attempt to undermine their argument.

• Circumstantial ad hominem: This involves pointing out an opponent's circumstances in order to discredit their argument.

• Tu quoque: This is a form of ad hominem where one attempts to discredit their opponent's argument by asserting their failure to act consistently in accordance with its conclusions.

• Guilt by association: This is a type of ad hominem where an individual is viewed negatively because of their association with a particular group or cause.

Related Terms

• Fallacy
• Argumentum ad populum
• Straw man fallacy
• Red herring fallacy

See Also

• List of fallacies
• Logical fallacy
• Rhetoric

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Ad hominem
• Wikipedia's article - Ad hominem

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