A fallacious objection to an argument or factual claim by appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim; an attempt to argue against an opponent's idea by discrediting the opponent himself
Appealing to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason: "Debaters should avoid ad hominem arguments that question their opponents' motives."
Ad hominem is from the Latin meaning "to the man " In a theological debate or discussion, it is the act of attacking the person or oppenent rather than debating the issues [back]
Rejection of a claim or argument on the basis of some irrelevant fact about the author of or the person presenting the claim or argument See Dr Michael C Labossiere's excellent description for further information
This sort of pseudoreasoning rejects a claim on the basis of its source The varieties of this fallacy share a confusion between the truth of a claim under discussion and the person or group who put it forward
Latin for "against the man" When a writer personally attacks his or her opponents instead of their arguments It is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, feeling rather than intellect
directed at a person's emotions or personal sensitivities as opposed to rationale or objective facts (especially as in a court trial, whether in appeal or in attack)