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2.3: Ad Hominem Attacks

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    What is an ad hominem attack?

    Ad_Hominem_01-300x300.png

    An ad hominem attack is when someone attacks the speaker rather than the argument, as a means of invalidating the argument.

    The term comes from Latin (yes, it’s that old), meaning “to the person.” It was popularized to a new level by philosopher John Locke in the 17th century.

    Examples

    adhominem_02-copy-300x200.png

    adhominem_example_01-copy-300x200.png

    How to Spot an Ad Hominem attack

    Ad hominem attacks are usually very easy to spot because they target the speaker. However, we can often excuse or ignore them when they’re attacking a speaker we already don’t like.

    As discussed below, though, ad hominem attacks are always counter-productive to true argumentation and logic — don’t let them slide, no matter who is making them!

    Ad Hominem Attacks vs Insults

    There’s an important distinction to make between ad hominem attacks and insults: an ad hominem attack is an insult used to invalidate an argument.

    adhominem_04-copy-300x300.png

    Exceptions

    At this point, you may be asking yourself:

    Ad_Hom_Text_01-300x200.png

    No, not necessarily! If the personal information about the speaker is truly relevant to what’s being debated, then bringing it up may be appropriate.

    However, there are generally only two areas it would be (potentially) relevant:

    01. The speaker is part of the topic at hand.

    Screenshot-2025-04-23-at-11.05.31-AM-copy-300x287.png

    02. The speaker is claiming expertise or authority on the topic at hand.

    adhominem_05-copy-300x200.png

    What’s important to keep in mind is that the personal information that’s brought up shouldn’t feel like an insult. If, in the above cartoon, the response had been “You lost your medical license for malpractice because you’re a monster!” the bulk of the response may be appropriate, but the insult undermines your credibility.

    Remember: just stick to the facts.

    Why ad hominem attacks Matter

    Ad hominem attacks pull double duty, acting as both a personal insult and a distraction. They also have a particular allure because they directly tap into our emotions. But ultimately all an ad hominem attack does is help turn a civilized argument into a fight, increasing polarization.

    LOOK WHO’S TALKING!

    adhominem_cartoon_swear-copy-300x300.png

    All of us have emotions, and so we can all occasionally make the mistake of resorting to an ad hominem attack. But if you see a speaker who frequently insults opposing speakers, they’re likely doing so as an intentional rhetorical strategy, meant to manipulate the audience. This should raise serious red flags, as it undermines their credibility as an accurate source of information.

    Knowledge Check: Ad Hominem Attacks

    An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
    opentextbooks.library.arizona.edu/decodingdeception/?p=88#h5p-4

    Vocabulary

    ad hominem attack
    when someone attacks the speaker rather than the argument, as a means of invalidating the argument

    rhetorical strategy
    any deliberate technique a speaker or writer uses to persuade, influence, or shape how an audience thinks or feels about an issue.

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