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Logical Fallacy>Informal Fallacy>Red Herring>Argumentum Ad Hominem

Argumentum Ad Hominem literally translates as “argument to the man” or “argument against the man.” Rather than attacking the argument itself, the personal making the argument is attacked, in an attempt to discredit the source. Perceived failings of the adversary become the issue, rather than the merits of the case.

Form of Argument Ad Hominem Fallacy

1. Unfavorable information (be it true or false) about person A is presented.
2. Therefore any claims person A makes will be false.

Ad Hominem Fallacy Variants

Abusive Ad Hominem

Belittling or attacking the opponent personally, instead of the argument, as a means to invalidate or discredit the argument.

Circumstantial Ad Hominem

Appealing to a person's beliefs or circumstances rather than the merits of the proposition. Asserting that the opponent is disposed to accept a particular position because of circumstance.

Tu Quoque

Literally meaning “you also,” tu quoque claims that the source of the argument has acted or spoken inconsistently with the position taken, and therefore the position must be false.

Poisoning the Well

This is a pre-emptive ad hominem attack against the opponent. The method is used to prime the listener with with negative information in an attempt to discredit the opponent's claim when it it presented.

Ad Feminam

This is an ad hominem attack used, in particular, to defeat a woman's argument and to inject systemic tendencies to dismiss women's opinions.

Ad Hominem Fallacy Examples

Abusive Ad Hominem

Early Sunday morning, I posted an article titled “A Sad and Tragic Day for Our Nation – A Response to Jo Ashline.” Within just a few hours “Casey” responded with a classic abusive ad hominem.

Bullshit. Get over yourself, really. It's embarrassing to read from an otherwise intelligent individual.

This was a timely comment to help with this post! Ignore everything said, just jump in and call the other person an idiot. Booyah!

Alison Moore Smith is a 60-year-old entrepreneur, who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 39 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons.