ad hominem

English

Etymology

Shortened from the Latin expression argumentum ad hominem, argument at the person. From argumentum (meaning "argument") + ad (meaning "to" or "at") + hominem, the accusative singular of homo (meaning "man"). It can also mean attacking the messenger.

Noun

ad hominem (plural ad hominems)

1. A fallacious objection to an argument or factual claim by appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim; an attempt to argue against an opponent's idea by discrediting the opponent himself.
2. A personal attack.

Synonyms

• (a fallacious objection): argumentum ad hominem

Antonyms

• ad verecundiam (see Wikipedia:Argument from authority)
• appeal to authority
• ipse dixit

Translations

logical fallacy

• Finnish: ad hominem
• Portuguese: ad hominem (pt) m

• Tagalog: katwirang umaantig sa sarilintao

personal attack

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 人身攻擊 (zh), 人身攻击 (zh) (rénshēn gōngjí)

• Finnish: ad hominem, henkilökohtaisuus (fi)
• French: attaque personnelle f
• German: persönlicher Angriff m

• Japanese: 人身攻撃 (じんしんこうげき, jinshin kōgeki)
• Portuguese: ad hominem (pt) m
• Russian: перехо́д на ли́чности m (perexód na líčnosti), ли́чные напа́дки f pl (líčnyje napádki)
• Spanish: ataque personal m
• Swedish: personangrepp n

See also

• poisoning the well

Adjective

ad hominem (not comparable)

1. Of or relating to ad hominem.

   Well that's an ad hominem argument.

Adverb

ad hominem (not comparable)

1. In an ad hominem manner.

   He tried to make his case by arguing ad hominem.

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Portuguese

Adjective

ad hominem (plural ad hominem, comparable)

1. (of an argument) ad hominem (being a personal attack)

Adverb

ad hominem (not comparable)

1. in an ad hominem manner