Attacking the Person

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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 Explanation 3 Countermeasure 4 Category 5 Subfallacies 6 External Links 7 Examples in creationist arguments

Synonyms

• Ad hominem
• Argument Against the Man
• Argumentum ad hominem
• Attack on the Person
• Character Assassination
• Fallacy of Personal Attack
• Fallacy of Argument Against the Man
• Fallacy of argumentum ad hominem
• Personal Attack

Explanation

Attacking the Person is any argument that, instead of dealing with an argument, attacks the person making the argument.

Countermeasure

Don't get sidetracked. Point out that the personal attack is irrelevant to the subject at hand and insist that the opponent address the subject.

Category

• Genetic Fallacy

Subfallacies

• Abusive Ad Hominem
• Appeal to Ridicule
• Circumstantial Ad Hominem
• Poisoning the Well
• Tu quoque
• Fallacy of Opposition

External Links

• Fallacy Files [1]
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [2]
• Wikipedia [3]
• Informal Fallacies [4]

Examples in creationist arguments

This is used a lot in creationism, as you do not have to prove your point if your opponent is a "secular humanist".

• Biologists will want to throw you out of the class if you don't believe in evolution
• Non-creationist Christians are compromisers

See also the examples in the subfallacies.