Most people recognize that personal attacks are not good arguments, yet it does not stop people from using them. Personal attacks are also called ad hominem arguments. Ad hominem arguments try to bring down someone, rather than someone’s argument. The ad hominem argument is a logical fallacy that comes in many forms.
Ad Hominem Definition
An ad hominem argument is a logical fallacy. A fallacy is an error of some kind.
A logical fallacy is employed like a logical reason, but it is actually flawed and illogical.
The ad hominem argument is specifically an informal logical fallacy, which means that its fallacy lies not in the structure of the logic (which would be a formal logical fallacy) but rather in something else.
Fig. 1 - An ad hominem argument attacks an individual instead of challenging their argument.
An ad hominem argument targets the person rather than their argument.
This fallacy is so ubiquitous in argumentation that it has two categories and many variants beyond that.
In Latin, ad hominem means “to the person.” So, an argument ad hominem means “an argument to the person.”
Abusive Ad Hominem and Circumstantial Ad Hominem
There are two main kinds of ad hominem fallacy: the abusive ad hominem fallacy and the circumstantial ad hominem fallacy.
The abusive ad hominem argument attacks a person’s character to discredit them.
Here is a simple example of an abusive ad hominem argument:
Jake can’t be correct. He is a fool.
The argument is that Jake is wrong because he “is a fool.” There is no attempt to counter Jake’s argument, whatever that may be.
The circumstantial ad hominem argument attributes bias to someone to discredit them.
Here is a simple example of a circumstantial ad hominem argument.
Jake’s always been critical of the school board. He will say that the board wronged students regardless of the circumstance.
The argument is that Jake is too biased against the school board to make a sound judgment. However, there is no attempt to address Jake’s current argument against the school board.
Fig. 2 - To be logical, address Jake's argument.
The abusive ad hominem argument and circumstantial ad hominem argument are logical fallacies. But why?
Why the Ad Hominem Argument Is a Logical Fallacy
A logical argument counters an opponent's logic. Logical arguments stay on track and result in learning.
The ad hominem argument does not counter the logic of an opponent. Instead, it attacks the opponent, which is irrelevant in terms of logical argumentation. All that matters is the argument—not who is presenting the argument.
Thus, the ad hominem attack is a logical fallacy.
An ad hominem argument could be considered a kind of red herring because it distracts from the argument.
Types of Ad Hominem
Here is a list of some ad hominem attacks. These types are more specific than the broader abusive ad hominem fallacy and circumstantial ad hominem fallacy.
You want to talk about economic problems? I want to talk about your problems because you’re an idiot.
I’m the idiot? You’re the one who voted for sanctions three years ago. You’re the real idiot.
Sanctions are better than war. You claim to be peaceful now, but you supported the war in Iraq until it was too late. Wolves stay wolves.
I’m no warmonger. Do you know who else wants your precious economic package to pass? Three big outfits of the military-industrial complex!
Right, but so do a lot of people. Then again, when have women ever understood the economy?
You’re nothing but a dirty old elephant, Jack—a dirty, mucky old elephant.
As you can see in the above exchange, ad hominem attacks come in a wide variety and can go on pointlessly—masquerading as a debate! You should be on the lookout for any one of these ad hominem arguments or a combination of them.
Fig. 3 - A heated debate might lose focus on the arguments.
Functions of Ad Hominem
It’s easy to see why people use ad hominem attacks. They are hurtful, break someone down, and can discredit someone in front of a non-academic audience. While experts in a field might dismiss or at least identify ad hominem attacks, the average person is unequipped to understand that logic follows the argument, not the person.
Ad hominem arguments can be used in essays and papers, debates, and just about anywhere a disagreement occurs.
Example of Ad Hominem in an Essay
Here is an example of how an ad hominem fallacy might appear in an essay.
In his 2022 article, Kirsch writes liberally on the lack of “inclusiveness” of children’s fiction, even in the modern era, but of course, he fails to mention how much better it has gotten over the last one-hundred years. It isn’t surprising. Kirsch, ever the complainer, has been complaining about the state of fiction since 1974. It’s a shame that the dinosaur doesn’t reference anything so far back as 1974 in his recent article. If he did, he would also see how much waffling he has done over the years. Also, let’s not forget that deJoan, a radical liberal who supports splitting the country, endorses Kirsch’s neo-liberal nonsense."
Try to count and identify the ad hominem arguments here. They are listed below.
“Kirsch, ever the complainer” is an abusive ad hominem fallacy.“The dinosaur” is an example of name-calling.“He would also see how waffling he has done over the years” is an example of ex concessis.Attacking Kirsch based on deJoan’s endorsement is guilt by association.
How to Counter an Ad Hominem Argument
Looking at an essay passage like this one, you might wonder, “Where does one begin to defend themselves?”
Ideally, you wouldn’t defend yourself. Your goal should not be to counter your opponent’s ad hominem argument, because this would be to surrender to the logical fallacy. Instead, you should identify the fallacy and bring the conversation back to the argument.
How to Avoid an Ad Hominem Argument
Finally, you don’t want to commit an ad hominem fallacy yourself. Here are three ways to ensure you don’t go off the rails.
Don’t write while angry. When you write while angry, you are more likely to heat up and leave the facts behind. Logic is cold and dispassionate; it follows the facts.
Don’t emphasize the person. Instead of attacking the person presenting the argument, attack the argument itself. Logic is only concerned with the argument, not who offers it.
Follow a line of reasoning. Logic should follow from previous arguments and so on. When you draw a conclusion, be sure it is based on evidence and stays on track.
Ad Hominem - Key Takeaways
- An ad hominem argument targets the person rather than their argument.
- The abusive ad hominem argument attacks a person’s character to discredit them.
- The circumstantial ad hominem argument attributes bias to someone to discredit them.
- The ad hominem argument does not counter the logic of an opponent. Thus it is a logical fallacy.
- Don't try to counter an ad hominem argument. Instead, you should identify the fallacy and bring the conversation back to the argument.
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