Ad Hominem Fallacy
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
An ad hominem fallacy attacks a person's character instead of addressing their argument.
An ad hominem fallacy attacks a person's character instead of addressing their argument.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- We shouldn't trust her proposal because she is arrogant.
- His idea is wrong because he's not a real expert.
- Don't listen to them, they failed before.
How to respond
- Separate the person from the claim and ask for evidence.
- Redirect the conversation to the actual argument.
- Ask which premise is incorrect rather than who is speaking.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Is ad hominem ever relevant?
Only when character is directly relevant to the claim, not as a substitute for evidence.
How do I respond to ad hominem?
Stay calm, restate the claim, and ask for evidence about the idea.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)