What is an Ad Hominem Attack? | Argument Clinic | WIRED

An internet troll's favorite way to argue? Ad hominem, of course! This is your guide to spotting bad arguments on the internet and how to fight them.
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What is an Ad Hominem Attack? | Argument Clinic | WIRED

[@rongrimes9102]

Ad Hominem is when someone runs out of bullets in their gun and then throws their gun at you

[@SrHirokumata]

*THIS*

[@fredbloggs8369]

“I always think it's a sign of victory when they move onto the Ad Hominem” - Christopher Hitchens

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

bullets or gun, they're aiming at you rather than the subject lol

[@Domepeezy]

So every Republican ever

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

​@@Domepeezy most politicians in general these days, especially higher up running for presidents lol. The last presidential debate was almost a sacrilege of the American values in this once formal event. It's the society that needs revival of the morals and values and even that concern gets attacked with a strawman style response like "OH WHAT, THE VALUES THAT ENSLAVED PEOPLE?" - and of course not, the ones that would make a nation less polarized and have neighbors knowing each other again. Decline of Religion has likely played a huge role, but not to say we need religion again, just need another philosophically shared vision of a nation for the people that ascends political party division and postmodern nihilism without life direction, purpose, meaning. The void inside becomes the toxicity of the populous in believing it is only increasingly adversarial.

[@syedali-rs8cj]

the internet "Arguments" are just these all day, sad part is some people actually think ad hominen attacks are arguments.

[@zleeven]

true, just look at this beauty i just got attack with "thats what i thought. You are incapable of debate, just emotional responses. Couldn't even name one right men have that women dont." when i was trying to have a discussion on the problems with female depiction of sexuality in games. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poOxnIqOrN6dms0&lc=UgyK4CGcQMu6OnIlxvF4AaABAg.99qusHLgsui9BNCi4P-xIP the thread starts with travis smith and you can find me by my name, the person i was talking with was incapable of engaging with the arguments, heck he straw men my argument on his second reply. by the 3 he ad hominem me by not attaking my arguments by telling me that feminist dont believe in science.

[@yunarukami14]

@@zleeven LOL! That guy is a clown

[@unk00laid24]

Me: *breathes* My brother: 𝙣𝙊 𝙮𝙊𝙪'𝙍𝙚 𝙐𝙜𝙇𝙮

[@grrrrr219]

No u

[@pauljones5040]

Takes one to know one

[@nathanr.4804]

ye

[@Defender78]

My former brother is guilty of using ad hominem for any argument. One time he my dad were arguing about some thing about keeping the house in order. Because my former brother the cheap shot artist, when he and I spoke about it a little bit later, his reply "well it doesn't matter. I earn more money than he does."

[@hphector6]

Incoming ad hominem attacks.

[@oddish2253]

You're amazing.

[@Shabadaba1216]

Fear Blade I am attacking your character.

[@rambosclone8410]

I'm not about to use an ad hominem attack. You only think that because you are stupid.

[@DruidsCalling]

A typical day for a KZbin comments section :'(

[@Countryen]

Facts made by someone wearing glasses are just wrong.

[@doyouknoworjustbelieve6694]

Ad Hominem attacks are a sign of weakness, insecurity or ignorance... Did I just use an Ad Hominem attack?? 😂😂

[@gus8747]

No

[@MeanKno]

Yes lol. You provided no premises for that conclusion (you're making an assertion). It could also be a sign of other things like: not knowing they are making an ad hominem; they might be the opposite of what you claimed generally, but maybe not in that moment; might be that they are feeling emotional; maybe can't think of a good argument despite knowing/thinking their conclusion is true; might not have experience debating; you probably made an ad hominem first; and the list can go on, but I am not willing to think of more. Also, I know you're joking. 😋😋😋

[@MeanKno]

@@giorgimkheidze1501 So when I say, "Your comment is a sign of idiocracy." I am not making an ad hominem. Nice. Edit: Your comment is a sign of idiocracy.

[@MeanKno]

@@giorgimkheidze1501 Lol. My point is proven by you asking me to explain why. Just making a claim about a person/people is an ad hominem because it ignores other possible explanations and is usually not pertinent to the discussion at hand. Btw, I didn't mean to offend. I don't actually think your comment is a sign of idiocracy. I just said that to illustrate the flaw in your logic.

[@MeanKno]

@@giorgimkheidze1501 Well, my point isn't whether you were offended or not. It's more so making a claim about a person that can be explained in many other ways. Basically an assertion not grounded in true premises (and the premise is not true in the case of the original post because we have no way of knowing). We are kinda off handedly assuming offense or a negative when we say attack, but I guess you and I agree that it doesn't necessarily mean something negative. For example during a debate I may attack someone's premises, but it's not a negative thing to do. It is part of debating.

[@axelmgs5928]

It might be a fallacy but people, especially politicians, will still use it intentionally because it works very well to convince an audience.

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

"people" especially still use it

[@TyStyckify]

It words with gullible people incapable of critical thought.

[@MichaelGordon]

I have learned that when someone attacks the messenger/ person they are usually not worth the energy to argue with.

[@gowtham0101]

I really needed to hear this, thank you!

[@kpf8186]

Good example, LoL.

[@wefinishthisnow3883]

The problem is on public forums like youtube, other people reading it will be convinced by their fallacious argument.

[@josephkreifelsii6596]

Liberals: Ad-hominems = bad. Also Liberals: Trump is orange! Trump is fat. Trump has small hands.

[@SwornReaper]

I personally don't think it is wrong to use Ad Hominem attack, but you should not use it too much, or abuse it, because it is always fair to address, or dig in the character of the person that you are arguing against. Think about it, what should you do when you are knowing that that your opponent is a very dishonest person? or any other bad character that you could know of?...yea, just what I thought.

[@deagle2yadome696]

Y’all are using ad hominem attacks on Trump in this video. “Why are Trumps policies bad?” “Because his personality is abrasive and he’s mean!”

[@grizlerber]

I like the video and everything but what is with this guy and beef stroganoff.

[@KRSorba]

Recurring theme. It's a way to show that the topics are connected, so when you use the same items when describing a concept, it can show the reader/viewer how they are different from one another. It is especially useful when the topics are so similar.

[@chelseasaint8957]

It’s fucken delicious?

[@elizabethf2737]

Now I want some beef stroganoff.

[@michaele1278]

I don't know but he seems to disrespect electricians too.

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

Point of contention. Supporting Trump's immigration policy does make you racist because the policy is racist. That's what racist means. You support racist things. What you do is what matters. Doing racist things makes you racist. It doesn't matter if you actively announce that you hate black people or something. That's a deflect.

[@joshjeggs]

A joke is not an adhominem. A typical amateur mistake people make on this subject.

[@aaronsegal6052]

I feel like you missed out on the fairly important area of what *does not* count as an ad hominem.

[@dsmyify]

You would think that. 😉

[@pauljones5040]

easy, everything he DIDN'T say.

[@Jsssddfgffghshdhdhusjsjd]

Of course you'd say that, your profile picture is stupid.

[@eel.3170]

@@Jsssddfgffghshdhdhusjsjd lmao

[@robinbennett1686]

He gave one example-If your friend who is an electrician says they learned in medical school it's healthy to eat 7 pounds of stroganoff a day, it's not ad hominem to point out they never went to medical school and are in fact an electrician.

[@BasementEngineer]

Ad hominem attacks are the final refuge of the out-argued scoundrel!

[@sharroon7574]

I was looking for this comment

[@PT111111]

Most internet arguments always end up becoming ad hominem as people run out of counter argument.

[@mwm48]

What the hell is up with this guy and stroganoff? This is not the first video he has mentioned it.

[@TheGreatMrMagoo]

Dude its good

[@smritianand6656]

According to me it is something like rejecting someone opinion rather than evaluating their opinion on its merit

[@meghan9683]

I don't think people realise that ad hominem doesn't mean randomly insulting people....it means attacking someone during a DEBATE!!! If someone insults you out of context of the argument and they're not insulting you because they can't reply to the argument then it's not ad hominem

[@SteveSmith-fh6br]

Ah yes, ad hominem attacks, the media's favorite thing to do to Trump.

[@park_9357]

@João Silva No way you just compared a US president to a dictator who killed millions

[@park_9357]

@João Silva Ohhh now I know there is a name for that one

[@loganjohnson8010]

@João Silva you liked your own comment

[@richardlisiura3025]

I think João Silva no longer with us.....

[@ElectronicCalifornia]

Something this tells me this is less about a lesson on having a reasonable, constructive conversation with a troll, and more about Trump...

[@deepseawrath]

Yeah this video has TDS all over it.

[@MatthewSomethingOrOther]

@@deepseawrath it's ironic considering this was the main method of attack by the msm against every logical change he tried to make.

[@rena3654]

He must read Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky...The progressive elites' Bible.

[@DannyGoLively]

Are there any more argument clinic vids? I crave more!

[@juliannah.9821]

That awkward moment when your Ad Hominem against someone is that they use Ad Hominems. #irony

[@jctai100]

man I love these vidz, going to watch all. Extremely practical in these times!

[@seb612schuth]

There's the other way around: people searching some respect for Hitler by saying he was a vegetarian and forcing some animal rights into politics. But that doesn't mean he did not hold inhumane policies. What kind of fallacy falls this into?

[@agent7641]

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." George Washington

[@KRSorba]

Amusingly, the word dumb can refer to someone who is mute. So, silent and silent we may be led. Doesn't actually say anything about the quote, but is a kind of interesting piece of trivia, I guess.

[@atomikjypsy1742]

That's really funny @KRSorba. Good Catch! 👍 Bravo even! 👏 😁

[@sparkyjohan]

It's funny when Americans talk about their politicians and calling them out on things that everyone, including the people they support do as well. "Politician 1 is a blah blah because they do hum hum, and that is why I support Politician 2."

[@gnaek]

so, how do we battle them?

[@tangneptune]

Apparently by making an ironic clickbait video

[@rickdtrick]

punch to the throat will do

[@zappadoodle8503]

Joaquin Vega I would try body building and a broadsword.

[@morpher44]

if your trying to win with logic, then you go all spock on them and point out that ad hominem is illogical

[@oddish2253]

You elect them president.

[@eldersun5110]

What is going on with him and stroganoff?

[@minecraftninja1622]

It's a rough patch in their marrige.

[@roeazy]

Trump is actually the target of ad hominem attacks all the time.

[@maggierezac5820]

"Objection! Assuming Facts Not in Evidence" is one of my favourite Non Sequiturs of all time! Sic Transit Gloria Mundi!

[@nadirbaitsaleem7270]

In b4 the crazy amount of dislikes.

[@theprisera1221]

surprisingly there's not a lot

[@minecraftminertime]

There aren't a crazy amount of dislikes. You should've said "In b4 the crazy amount of likes."

[@Malikin]

All the victims of Ad Hominem can do is Cry.

[@fredbloggs8369]

Lol! And all the perps of Ad hom can do is slander ;)

[@theoglasson]

I'd agree with you but I can't bring myself to agree with someone who's wearing such an horrible jersey! #irony #ad hominem

[@ShadowGirl-]

I think an ad hominem attack is perfectly usable, assuming your target is too stupid to realize the ploy, thereby getting distracted allowing you to succeed. If your target is highly intelligent, then you will just look like the idiot.

[@yoavtamir7707]

This was very interesting! Hoping to see more of this series!

[@Nico-wm5ys]

This is wrong. YOU are wrong! #MyFirstAdHominemAttack

[@NFawc]

TDS = ad hominem attack

[@jessicaspano5822]

So does conservative attacks, like my twitter thread is full of them

[@jessicaspano5822]

Started it? No one started it. But let’s just remember how the right dehumanized Obama all over twitter

[@jessicaspano5822]

Con Troversy do you know how many did???? There were people getting blowup Obama’s and hanging them off their porch

[@jessicaspano5822]

Con Troversy the scenario is so crazy you aren’t even able to understand. People would purchase “blowup” Obamas. And then they would lynch these blowup dolls to represent hanging Barack Obama. Did that make any sense? People were making death and lynching threats towards Obama.

[@tymekx014]

All arguments between children Child1:This person/thing/idea is bad Child2:AD HOMINEM Child1:AD HOMINEM Child2: *punches child1*

[@roger8654]

I called a girl out on her lies once and she proceeded to calling me stupid ugly etc. It was funny to say the least. It made her look weak and insecure

[@janusasorousrex2118]

Excactly. Her calling you ugly and stupid probably means she thinks that she is ugly and stupid.

[@maristylbalofinos867]

An example of this is what we often see online, like when Trump and his opponent are debating. When you listen to their debate, you can tell they're engaging in ad hominem arguments, attacking each other personally rather than sticking to the issues.

[@budbringer8181]

am I the only one thinking it's pretty ironic to make a video about ad hominem, using Donald Trump as an example of an attacker? Probably one of the most attacked people on the planet haha

[@qwertyqart]

"having a low cholesterol is un-American" - is this statement ad hominem attack?

[@sassybritches23]

No

[@rodrigobaldeon8443]

No it's a fact

[@nqinadlamini]

Loser Town is such a nice place. What did it ever do to you. LOL

[@panagiotisdeligiannis9610]

Can the successive exposure of Trump's ad hominems be considered as an ad hominem against Trump itself, since no elaboration was given on whether Trump is right or wrong? :D

[@OrgaNik_Music]

Now I want beef stroganoff.

[@ziontrainmedia9498]

The purpose of current global politics is to educate us on how to NOT do politics in the future.

[@jazzyfae415]

Awesome video, doing a project on as hominem for school and this helped alot

[@samclarke8724]

His last statement is ad hominem, beautiful.

[@hobbes281]

Pointing out ad hominem attacks isn't a defense against them... It's just identifying distraction techniques as what they are... Won't stop anyone from continuing to make them.

[@serioustable8659]

Pointing out how stupid someone is doesn't necessarily mean you are saying they are wrong it just means they are stupid

[@peterochalek978]

Idk why, but I feel so proud that I learned that term in Latin

[@jc.eh.123]

We all know politics is the perfect example.

[@JordanSullivanadventures]

Ok I love this series, but what is with all the beef stroganoff references?

[@homewall744]

Ad hominem and strawman are the primary arguing techniques used on the web and in comments sections. Intellectual discourse exists elsewhere.

[@elton1981]

He's wrong. His glasses are stupid!

[@vegetable1495]

Pretty much my little brother whenever he’s angry at me

[@PallahDaOracle]

Is your little brother fruit?

[@earvinlewis1]

2:50 ...And yet you're the one with the Urkel glasses on Lol

[@jessicaspano5822]

That’s literally an example of an ad hominem

[@earvinlewis1]

@@jessicaspano5822 Thank you...it was supposed to be :)

[@pickle1667]

I've seen more anti Trump people make ad hominem instead of answering the question. Keep politics out of this

[@ZombieFighter95]

And I've seen more pro-Trump people use ad hominem to avoid having to make a solid argument. Personal experience means nothing. Also, ad hominems are ridiculously abundant in American politics, so it makes sense to bring up politics.

[@ramizureikat3793]

@@ZombieFighter95 you're wrong. But then it's politics :)

[@tonygville2969]

@@ZombieFighter95 this clown was doing just what he was criticizing the President of doing. Still amazes me how they can't see it or how they ignore it. IPOT is a Good place to get Woke. 😎

[@gregwinter1081]

why? Politics is loaded w/ logical fallacies. Propaganda like this infects ads, both commercial & political.

[@manjawa5623]

Ed hominem.. Ed hominem everywhere...

[@massetozacarias5693]

Poloticians and activists love using ad hominem

[@JolanXBL]

The 'Sentinels of the Store' on Steam use this all the time to justify review-bombing games they do not like.

[@ronal13_]

One of the most common fallacy i found everywhere in the internet..

[@simpdestroyer5137]

True. It's because it's the easiest way of "winning an argument" online, not actually challenging it at all but making yourself appear as though you won. It's even easier than making a straw man because you don't even have to really think about what the person is saying, you just start name calling.

[@hollowheadhec1188]

ok but then technically calling out bias is an ad hominem even though its perfecty reasonable

[@dusathemaid]

This guy should go back to 1940's. He sounds like one of those radio guys

[@AhsimNreiziev]

Three quick things. The first is that I think there is an important difference between *avoiding* the arguments of another person by attacking them personally, and engaging in their arguments *as well as* attacking them personally. If you just call someone an idiot for having an argument, without further explanation, that would be an Ad Hominem Fallacy. If, on the other hand, you break down why an argument is idiotic, furthermore explain why this argument could not have been a gaffe and instead could only be presented by a complete idiot, and then call the person making the argument a complete idiot as a result of the two previously established points -- then that would still technically be an Ad Hominem, but it wouldn't be fallacious. The second thing is that it *is*, in fact, true that an argument is more likely to hold value if the person making the argument is being *negatively* effected by it, and less likely to be true if they are being *positively* effected by it. This is because of a thing called Confirmation Bias, which is in all likelihood the single greatest source in the world of arguments that don't add up. The third is that this video explained what Ad Hominem attacks are and how to recognize them, but not actually how to *battle* them effectively. This makes the video have an inaccurate and possibly misleading title. Some would call that Clickbait -- although I'm sure others wouldn't, so the jury is still out on what the correct term is there I guess.

[@EwClubb1]

FB: Audiophiles on a Budget. Not everyone, but lots of lawlessness. An unmoderated free-for-all. At times, excellent topics and discussions. Then there's the other times.

[@Yup_Pup]

You must really like beef stroganoff

[@abelphilosophy4835]

Julian Liechty is that the Russian beef meet ?

[@Jussakook]

Just here for the juicy ad hominems

[@donniemontoya9300]

Dude, what is your problem with beef stroganoff?!?!

[@PrzemekKucia]

All fine and dandy, but that is not actually "ad hominem". What you're describing is an attack "ad personam" :) Ad hominem would be to seek conflicts in opponents system of beliefs hence discrediting opponents authority in that particular matter e.g. "My opponent is telling that all human life is sacred and yet is also pro capital punishment. So which one is it?".

[@charlesadair7811]

*Favorite Wired series*

[@Miguel_Hwang]

Is pointing out an ad hominem attack an ad hominem attack?

[@clipsahoy1]

It depends on how it's pointed out. If it's factual, then no. If it's personal, then yes.

[@LuigiG145]

My only question is, why the fuck do they keep bringing up Beef Stroganoff on Argument Clinic?

[@morpher44]

man. Suddenly I'm hungry for beef stroganoff

[@TheMRS]

a news commentator who spoke of Trump's speech to the graduating cadets this am - used the term "Ad hominem Castigations” brought me here….

[@noname-by3qz]

Wait. If someone supports Trump's racist words and actions, how are they not a racist ?

[@Loneeeey]

Ad Hominem is useful in debate.

[@blaizerhodes]

This video is actually an ad hominem against Trump because he uses ad hominems, speaking as a deployable.

[@jimcanterak7349]

What if the substance of the argument is that the opponent is a dumb fuck? Is it AD Hominem if you call them a dumb fuck then?

[@slonkey3641]

I'm not sure Wired knows what "trolling" is

[@WeaponX-mk6lo]

Ok so if someone resorts to ad hominem attack, who cares?

[@helenakoerner5536]

who cares? WHO CARES?! I'll tell you who cares, anyone with a healthy dose of morality and logic.

[@capybareno23]

none of those examples of Trump were ad hominem, from what can tell they were degrading Ted Cruz but not to dismiss an argument. Trump was simply exploiting his character to prove he would be a bad candidate.

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

People who wear sweaters like this are absolutely invalid (how was this trolling?)

[@minecraftminertime]

What do you mean? Your comment doesn't make sense. You said a random statement that isn't logical and then said something about trolling but used an improper tense of a word in that question.

[@gopalmazor8061]

B B loves it! B B eats it for breakfast! 😂😂

[@Janasena_Victory]

Who is here after Pawan Kalyan shed light on this subject ??

[@Letitbee22]

This was so helpful

[@advancedtechnology1775]

I believe using Trump in many of the examples was very clarifying. What will be fascinating is when we find out Trump is actually right🤓

[@Advection357]

I'd go for some beef stroganoff right now

[@CasualIvory]

hey guys, new to the channel. am i supposed to take a shot every time this guy brings up beef stroganoff? i was just watching the one where he claims Bill Gates had beef stroganoff for breakfast.

[@kso35]

WOW. THIS GUYS SOUNDS AND LOOKS LIKE PETE BUTTIGIEG. That is a compliment!!

[@bentleykennedy-stone673]

I hope these guys know they're ripping off the name of a Monty Python sketch

[@MGR1900]

He could have easily shown as many examples using Obama as he did Trump. People need to strive not to show bias because they appear more reputable that way.

[@AprilSunshine]

Amen

[@mark-angelofamularcano237]

A: So what if I don't practice what I preach? That doesn't make me wrong! B: Yeah, but it makes you a hypocrite! A: I'm still right, though! *smug look* This is why people hate lawyers, and most likely Hillary. Although I still want to become a lawyer :D

[@pedromaxadinho]

*IM A MORON FOR USING AD HOMINEMEMN?* YEA WELL _YOUR SHIRT LOOKS GOOD_ (am i doing dis right?)

[@Lebone_Bona-fide]

I came to understand _ad hominem_ better, I left with modified political views

[@FranklinPattison]

Notice his example of the comments on Russia. LOL....they found anyway they could to throw shade on Trump.

[@NR1232]

I knew this was the reason I just couldn’t side with trump...well now I know the correct term

[@jubjubbird56]

Everybody with glasses is bad at fallacies don't trust this guy. He has glasses! (I think I added a second fallacy in there, hasty generalization?)

[@123sheag]

this should be more common.

[@rudylovato2759]

I will vote for trump.