ad hominem









ad hominem


adjective

  1. appealing to one’s prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one’s intellect or reason.
  2. attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.

adjective, adverb

  1. directed against a person rather than against his arguments
  2. based on or appealing to emotion rather than reason

c.1600, Latin, literally “to a man,” from ad “to” (see ad-) + hominem, accusative of homo “man” (see homunculus).

A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.

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