Scott Hughes manages a Philosophy Forum at OnlinePhilosophyClub.com where you can discuss logic and other philosophical topics.
Philosophical discussions generally consist of productive debate in which two or more people attempt to rationally argue for different sides of a question. They each try to think up and explain a logical argument in support of their position while constructively trying to offer logical rebuttals of the other person's position. Though called arguments, the philosophers generally have a lot of respect for each other and enjoy having the discussion in a friendly tone. In fact, it becomes very difficult to have a worthwhile philosophical discussion without a lot of respectfulness and friendliness.
Unfortunately, sometimes one person may use an ad hominem argument. An ad hominem argument consists of replying to a person's argument by merely attacking the character of the person making the argument. An ad hominem argument is also called a personal attack or an irrelevant insult. For example, if Joe claims that the sky is blue, Bob would be making an ad hominem argument if he responded by saying, "No, it isn't because you are an ugly moron."
An ad hominem is a fallacy, and it is illogical. Worse yet, it may cause the discussion to break down into an unproductive name-calling contest.
You may have trouble distinguishing an ad hominem argument from a non-fallaciously offensive statement. A claim or argument may not be an ad hominem argument just because somebody feels insulted or offended by it. You can figure out whether a statement is an ad hominem or not by asking yourself if the statement is truly relevant to the discussion. If the statement is evidence of the person's position about the topic, then it may not be an ad hominem even if it could be offensive. Nonetheless, if the statement just attacks the other person in the discussion, then it is an ad hominem. Generally, name-calling of any kind is an ad hominem. Additionally, saying that the other person is ignorant, stupid, or such will also almost always be an ad hominem.
You can avoid using ad hominem arguments by trying to stay on-topic in any discussion. Additionally, try to speak as nicely, politely, and respectfully as possible. If you constantly try to remain as nice and polite as possible, you will probably not slip up and make an ad hominem. To that end, avoid discussing anything while angry. If you feel angry or emotional, make sure to take extra care to speak or write in as nicely and respectfully of a tone as possible. Focus on making points only about the main topic, and do not comment on the other person's character or abilities (unless you wish to give them an honest compliment).
If someone calls you names or insults you, do not respond by doing the same. It is no less fallacious for you to return a personal attack than it was for them to make one. I find it most effective to just ignore insults in a philosophical discussion. If you try to mention the other person's ad hominem and reply to it, you will often end up getting into an off-topic and personal discussion. If you feel the need to reply to an ad hominem, simply and politely tell the person that the ad hominem remark is irrelevant. Talking about the fact that an off-topic remark is off-topic will bring you further off-topic. Just let it go and focus on the topic.
Calling someone a hypocrite is almost always an ad hominem fallcy. In fact, it is specifically referred to as an ad hominem tu quoque. It is fallacious. For example, if Mark claims that smoking cigarettes is wrong, and Mary tries to rebut it by accusing Mark of smoking cigarettes, Mary has probably made an ad hominem tu quoque fallacy. The fact that Mark smokes cigarettes does not disprove the claim that smoking cigarettes is wrong.
Also, calling the person who makes an argument biased is almost always an ad hominem fallacy. It is specifically referred to as an ad hominem circumstantial argument. Pointing out that someone has a reason to want a conclusion to be true is not a valid rebuttal to their argument.
Most importantly, you want to avoid making irrelevant insults. Do not call names. If you do, you are committing a fallacy, and you have greatly hindered the ability for the discussion to remain productive. Remember, the point of philosophical discussion is to have productive and constructive discussions about philosophical topics; it is not to have name-calling contests and insult each others' personal qualities.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Should We And Can We Develop An African Philosophy Of Education?: Pedagogy Of Sagacity
- The Basics of the Stoic’s Philosophy
- Are You Implementing a Serious Skin Care Philosophy?
- Religions And The Muslim Philosophy!
- Christian Faith, Logic and Reason: Why Christians Should Embrace all Three
- Any Rand's Philosophy of Objectivism: an Epistemological Analytical Discussion and Treatment
- 9 Management Philosophies to Develop Teams Into Elite High Performers
- The Core of Logic For Arab and Muslim World – Part I




Brain Beating Confidence and Self Esteem Tips #1
By: Tony Microft | 11/11/2009Brain Beating Confidence and Self Tips sets out to help you discover how your internal self programming works and what affects it. You will then learn ways to re-set your programming so that whatever it is you want to achieve becomes more of a probability and less of a dream. To get what you want out of life read on…
Albert Bandura - SMART Goal Setting and Social Learning Theory
By: Annette H. Hill | 10/11/2009e you heard of the social learning theory? Are you familiar with the Bobo doll experiment? If yes, then you must have heard of Albert Bandura. He is famous for his contributions in the social learning theory and for his very own study on Bobo doll.
Astonishingly a ghostly appearance loomed before me
By: Raghavan Pillai Jayaprakash | 10/11/2009My mind had been affected by seeing ghostly apparitions in cinema and television and my mind was constantly trying to disengage itself from these dis illusions. It suddenly appeared in my deep sleep and for a time I felt that the whole thing was true.
Dissociative Disorders: Types & Treatments
By: Helping Psychology | 09/11/2009Four main types of dissociative disorders are currently identified and recognized by the psychiatric community. While certain symptoms are common between each type, each disorder has its own specific dissociative signs not shared with the other three.
How to improve short term memory
By: Mark A Smith | 07/11/2009In 2008 brain scientists at the University of Bern in Switzerland and the University of Michigan in the States, demonstrated that by training on a short term memory exercise called the dual n-back improves short term working memory capacity by 80-90% over just 19 days of training. This improvement then results in an incredible 40% gain in intelligence.
Indefinable (Hal yang Tak Terungkap)
By: Fardhie | 06/11/2009This is me want to submit difficult matter to is said with a article and or words, because main discussion that i shall pour very closely related with our life everyday. But like that me try to make the topical so that can and easy to at comprehend. I glader / like to say point with term Indefinable (a certain matter not can revealed or May be expressly not at lay open). Because every mortal certain has substantial result each. Leave from human life in endure everything at this transitory
Be Safe While You Lose Weight With Weight Loss Pills
By: Thomas Xiao | 06/11/2009Weight loss drugs are the drugs that can stimulate the metabolism to wipe out the excess fat and can easily make you look slimmer. One should also have knowledge of its adverse effects prior to its us
Avoiding Your Feelings? Find out Why and What to Do About It
By: Dr. Ron Frederick | 05/11/2009Do you wonder what's causing you to avoid your feelings and emotions rather than expressing them in a healthy way to get past obstacles? Find out the root cause and what you can do to get beyond those limits.
Ethical Philosophy: Altruism and Selfishness
By: Scott Hughes | 23/04/2008 | PhilosophyThe self-interestedness supported by pro-selfishness philosophers does not necessarily conflict with the kindness supported by pro-selflessness philosophers.
Why Do People Fear Sex?
By: Scott Hughes | 31/03/2008 | SexualityWhy do the people in our society tend to have such negative feelings towards sexuality? Why do so many cultures throughout the globe fear and hate sex?
Personal Attacks in Philosophical Discussions
By: Scott Hughes | 18/03/2008 | PsychologyAn ad hominem argument consists of replying to a person's argument by merely attacking the character of the person making the argument.
What it Means for an Action to be Immoral
By: Scott Hughes | 07/03/2008 | PhilosophyWhat does it mean to call an action morally good or morally bad? Different people use those terms to mean very different things.
Philosophy of Politics - We Do not Need Prisons
By: Scott Hughes | 29/02/2008 | PoliticsDo prisons really protect people from violence and victimization, or do prisons just make matters worse?
Political Philosophy - Why Governments Overspend
By: Scott Hughes | 21/02/2008 | PoliticsGovernments engage in many expensive endeavors that have little use or little effectiveness. Unfortunately, taxpayers have to foot the bill.
Corporate Crime Needs More Attention
By: Scott Hughes | 19/02/2008 | PoliticsCorporations perform the most major forms of criminal victimization. Corporate crime inflicts far more damage on society than street crime.
Philosophy - Can Humans be Perfectly Happy?
By: Scott Hughes | 13/02/2008 | PsychologyMost people can probably tell you whether or not they feel happy. Nonetheless, the idea of happiness becomes very complex and interesting when we look at it from a philosophical perspective.