Attacking The Person
September 22nd, 2009
Attacking The Person
classification : informal – changing the subject
Attempts to counter a claim or conclusion by attacking the person, rather than addressing the argument itself.
Foundations
Three major forms of Attacking the Person;
1. attack the person who made the argument;
2. attack the relationship between the person making the assertion and the person’s circumstances and,
3. attack on the person because he does not exemplify or practices what he preaches, or has no stronger case than one has oneself.
Examples
A prosecutor asks the judge to not admit the testimony of a burglar because burglars are not trustworthy.
You say I should give up alcohol, but you haven’t been sober for more than a year yourself.
Other Names
Argument against the man
Ad hominem argument
Categories: Logic