ad hominem
fallacious argumentative strategy that avoids genuine discussion of the topic by instead attacking the character, motive etc. of the person(s) associated with the argument
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Summary
ad hominem is a Latin phrase[1]. It ranks in the top 3% of latin phrase entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (11,344 views/month).[2]
Key Facts
- Subclass of: genetic fallacy[3]
- Has part(s): Bulverism[4], tu quoque[5]
- Described by source: Otto's encyclopedia[6], Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[7], Lean Logic[8], Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[9]
- Different from: name calling[10]
- Significant person: Aristotle[11], Sextus Empiricus[12], Galileo Galilei[13], John Locke[14], Richard Whately[15]
Why It Matters
ad hominem has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[16] It is known by 79 alternative names across languages and contexts.[17]