ad hominem argument

English

Alternative forms

• ad hominem
• argument ad hominem
• argumentum ad hominem

Noun

ad hominem argument (plural ad hominem arguments)

1. (logic) A type of fallacious argument in which the attempt is made to refute a theory or belief by discrediting the person(s) who advocate that theory or belief.
   • 1981, Walter S. Minot, "A Rhetorical View of Fallacies: Ad Hominem and Ad Populum," Rhetoric Society Quarterly, vol. 11, no. 4, p. 223,

     The ad hominem argument is normally defined as an argument attacking the source of a proposition or argument rather than the proposition or argument itself.

Anagrams

• argument ad hominem