Circumstantial Ad Hominem

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This page is part of the EvoWiki encyclopedia of fallacies. Browse: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Contents 1 Synonyms 2 Category 3 Explanation 4 Demarcation 5 Subfallacies 6 External Links 7 Examples in creationist arguments

Synonyms

• ad hominem circumstantiae
• ad hominem circumstantial
• Personal Attack, circumstantial form

Category

• Genetic Fallacy
  • Attacking the Person

Explanation

Pointing out irrelevant circumstances that the reasoner is in. This fallacious as that pointing out that one's opponent is disposed to make a certain argument due to their circumstances does not make the argument any less credible. The validity of the argument must be decided based on the content of the argument, not the circumstances in which it was made.

Demarcation

You do not commit this fallacy if you:

• reject an Appeal to Authority based on the circumstances (e.g. bias) of the authority. In this case, the authority is the sole content of the argument, and so is a relevant topic for discussion.

Subfallacies

• Group Fallacy

External Links

• Fallacy Files [1]
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [2]
• Wikipedia [3]

Examples in creationist arguments

• Scientists' conclusions are motivated by money
• Scientists are motivated to support naturalism and reject creationism
• Scientists find what they expect to find
• Scientists are pressured not to challenge established dogma
• Scientists aim to make God unnecessary