What type of fallacy occurs when a person attacks their opponent's character instead of addressing the argument?

What type of fallacy occurs when a person attacks their opponent's character instead of addressing the argument?

• A. Victory by Definition
• B. Disproving a Minor Point
• C. Ad Hominem
• D. Begging the Question

Answer: (C)

The correct choice refers to the Ad Hominem fallacy, which occurs when someone undermines their opponent's position by attacking their character or personal traits rather than engaging with the actual argument being presented. This approach is a distraction from the topic at hand and serves to deflect attention from the logical merits of the argument itself. By focusing instead on personal attributes, the speaker aims to sway the audience or the opponent by evoking feelings of bias, prejudice, or emotions rather than a rational examination of the argument. This fallacy ultimately weakens discourse, as it shifts the focus away from substantive discussion and into personal attacks that do not contribute to resolving the issue being debated. In contrast, the other types mentioned, such as "Victory by Definition," "Disproving a Minor Point," and "Begging the Question," pertain to different logical missteps or strategies that don't directly involve attacking an individual's character, making them distinct and unrelated to the Ad Hominem fallacy.

The correct choice refers to the Ad Hominem fallacy, which occurs when someone undermines their opponent's position by attacking their character or personal traits rather than engaging with the actual argument being presented. This approach is a distraction from the topic at hand and serves to deflect attention from the logical merits of the argument itself.

By focusing instead on personal attributes, the speaker aims to sway the audience or the opponent by evoking feelings of bias, prejudice, or emotions rather than a rational examination of the argument. This fallacy ultimately weakens discourse, as it shifts the focus away from substantive discussion and into personal attacks that do not contribute to resolving the issue being debated.

In contrast, the other types mentioned, such as "Victory by Definition," "Disproving a Minor Point," and "Begging the Question," pertain to different logical missteps or strategies that don't directly involve attacking an individual's character, making them distinct and unrelated to the Ad Hominem fallacy.