Talk:Ad hominem delete

Ad hominem? Care to explain this in simple or ordinary English? Not all of us are latin readers --Juxo 19:45, 2 Feb 2004 (EET)

"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.

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Jack Lynch via English Wikipedia User Plato reports English Wikipedia RickK as follows:

"This user has taken to calling me "Troll", and dismissing me w such in talk pages. This is very typical of Rick, He can be like this. Personally I feel Rick's behavior as sysop is terrible, and he should be de-sysoped. Now I have tried to reason with Rick, but he has called me a troll and the like. I find this to be an offensive presonal attack. It is, trust me on it."

"When I request for him to discuss this with me or change the behaviour, he deletes my request. "removing troll" is the edit summary. What is to be done w this sort of harassment?"

"Nothing could be my brother in arms, becuase Rick will be defended by the sysops. Wikipedia is a Dictatorship, you cannot question people like Rick lest you'll be banned. However, I can help you nevertheless my brother, please join the IRC channel (as a matter of fact if Rick is reading this I'd like you also to join because I wish to discuss my POV with you). "