Legal Dictionary
Ad Hominem
Definition
An argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue.
Deep Dive
"Ad hominem" is a Latin phrase meaning "to the person." It describes a logical fallacy where an argument is refuted by attacking the character, motives, or other personal attributes of the person making the argument, rather than addressing the substance of their argument or position. Instead of engaging with the evidence or reasoning presented, an *ad hominem* attack seeks to discredit the source, implying that their personal flaws invalidate their claims.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1"You can't trust Professor Davis's economic theories; he's known for being quite arrogant and difficult to work with."
- 2During a public debate, one candidate dismisses an opponent's policy proposal by saying, "What does she know about the working class? She grew up privileged."
- 3A disgruntled employee criticizes a company's new policy, and management responds by saying, "Don't listen to him; he's just bitter about not getting promoted."
Related Terms
Logical FallacyPersonal AttackRed Herring