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Ad hominem: Difference between revisions
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further on "ad hominem approval"
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'''"ad hominem"''' is a Latin phrase used very commonly in English (just like "ad nauseum", and also "i.e." and "e.g." are abbreviations of Latin phrases). It is, effectively, part of English. | '''"ad hominem"''' is a Latin phrase used very commonly in English (just like "ad nauseum", and also "i.e." and "e.g." are abbreviations of Latin phrases). It is, effectively, part of English. | ||
What it means is, in the context of an argument, referring to '''who made the argument, as opposed to the argument's own referents''', in deciding whether to accept or reject it. It is normally considered proof that one has no real argument to offer against what is said, if one must invoke "who wrote it" as an refutation. | What it means is, in the context of an argument, referring to '''who made the argument, as opposed to the argument's own referents''', in deciding whether to accept or reject it. It is normally considered proof that one has no real argument to offer against or for what is said, if one must invoke "who wrote it" as an refutation or as a reason of non-acting upon it thus in silent approval of it. | ||
'''Ad hominem''' is the weakest form of argument. It is an attack or defense on an argument based on who made the argument, rather than based on its merits. | '''Ad hominem''' is the weakest form of argument. It is an attack or defense on an argument based on who made the argument, rather than based on its merits. | ||