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When you have read these rules and the information about Personal Attacks, then please post in this thread that you have done so: Requirement for Posting

1. Personal attacks will not be tolerated (see below)

2. Racist or Hate comments will get you a ban

3. Watch the swearing please

4. Don't post links to dead or mutilated people or children

5. Please do not bait other people or try to cause trouble. Be civil. If you cause trouble here, you are disrespecting the intention of this board.

6. Don't just cut and paste an article. Give the link and try to summarize, or just paste a relevant excerpt.

7. If someone gives you a link and you are part of the discussion have the curtesy to read the link they provide.

8. If you have a problem with someone, rather than lashing out at that person, PM me with the problem.

9. I would prefer that all posters in this forum have PM enabled for contact if necessary. I understand that this might be a preference that some cannot accomdate. In that case, you may find a post here with your name on it.

10. Quite often opinions will differ. If you find yourself getting too inflamed over a topic then get out of the topic, or leave the Vox Populi forum until you cool down.

11. News articles can be posted as separate threads. I would prefer a summary and a link. Remember that the source of the news article can bias what is written. Please do not post news articles simply to bait other posters.


Description of Personal Attack
Also Known as: Ad Hominem Abusive.

A personal attack is committed when a person substitutes abusive remarks for evidence when attacking another person's claim or claims. This line of "reasoning" is fallacious because the attack is directed at the person making the claim and not the claim itself. The truth value of a claim is independent of the person making the claim. After all, no matter how repugnant an individual might be, he or she can still make true claims.

Not all ad Hominems are fallacious. In some cases, an individual's characteristics can have a bearing on the question of the veracity of her claims. For example, if someone is shown to be a pathological liar, then what he says can be considered to be unreliable. However, such attacks are weak, since even pathological liars might speak the truth on occasion.

In general, it is best to focus one's attention on the content of the claim and not on who made the claim. It is the content that determines the truth of the claim and not the characteristics of the person making the claim.

Examples of Personal Attack

In a school debate, Bill claims that the President's economic plan is unrealistic. His opponent, a professor, retorts by saying "the freshman has his facts wrong."

"This theory about a potential cure for cancer has been introduced by a doctor who is a known lesbian feminist. I don't see why we should extend an invitation for her to speak at the World Conference on Cancer."

"Bill says that we should give tax breaks to companies. But he is untrustworthy, so it must be wrong to do that."

"That claim cannot be true. Dave believes it, and we know how morally repulsive he is."

"Bill claims that Jane would be a good treasurer. However I find Bill's behavior offensive, so I'm not going to vote for Jill."

"Jane says that drug use is morally wrong, but she is just a goody-two shoes Christian, so we don't have to listen to her."

Bill: "I don't think it is a good idea to cut social programs."
Jill: "Why not?"
Bill: "Well, many people do not get a fair start in life and hence need some help. After all, some people have wealthy parents and have it fairly easy. Others are born into poverty and..."
Jill: "You just say that stuff because you have a soft heart and an equally soft head."

Personal Attack