What is the strategy of attacking someone's character rather than addressing the argument they present called?

What is the strategy of attacking someone's character rather than addressing the argument they present called?

• A. Red Herring
• B. Ad Hominem
• C. Straw Man
• D. Straw Argument

Answer: (B)

The strategy of attacking someone's character instead of engaging with the argument they present is known as Ad Hominem. This term is derived from Latin, meaning "to the person." In this fallacy, rather than debating the actual points or claims made by the opponent, the focus shifts to an irrelevant personal attack or criticism, undermining the individual rather than the argument itself. This approach is often employed in discussions and debates to distract from the actual topic at hand. When an argument resorts to discrediting the individual making the argument instead of addressing their reasoning, it reveals a failure to engage with the substantive issues being discussed.

The strategy of attacking someone's character instead of engaging with the argument they present is known as Ad Hominem. This term is derived from Latin, meaning "to the person." In this fallacy, rather than debating the actual points or claims made by the opponent, the focus shifts to an irrelevant personal attack or criticism, undermining the individual rather than the argument itself. This approach is often employed in discussions and debates to distract from the actual topic at hand. When an argument resorts to discrediting the individual making the argument instead of addressing their reasoning, it reveals a failure to engage with the substantive issues being discussed.