Are conservatives more likely to use ad hominem insults in their answers?
Q. Ive noticed that a tough question about a Republican celebrity (Sarah Palin, for example) tends to result in ad hominem attacks rather than a measured answer to the question. Is that normal behavior for conservatives?
Asked by Deke666 - Mon Oct 19 09:29:36 2009 - - 15 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Although they claim that the liberals use emotions rather than logic, I have noticed that it's the other way around. Conservatives are less likely to provide a logical argument in their response. They tend to attack, twist words, focus on semantics and a less likely to carefully read the entire post.
Answered by Natalie - Mon Oct 19 09:36:46 2009

Is the ad hominem fallacy akin to inductive reasoning?
Q. Ad hominem is generally seen as a fallacy. However, isn't it an attempt to use inductive reasoning to expose hidden agenda? Inductive reasoning is not logic, but seems to be something akin to it. Is it not possible that ad hominem can be (but isn't always) a good guide to arguments with hidden premises?
Asked by grayure - Thu Sep 17 15:48:08 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Somewhat, But it seems to me more like slight of hand. The basic premise being "if you can't argue against the evidence, then attack the humanity of the one presenting the evidence" thus shifting the focus away from the evidence. Get the book "Attacking Faulty Reasoning" by T Edward Damer. It is the most comprehensive analysis of fallacies I know of, covering about 60 fallacies.
Answered by Greek, Coptic, & Bible Forensic - Thu Sep 17 19:15:14 2009

Are ad hominem attacks ever justifiable?
Q. For those of you who are not educated or mature enough to know the definition of ad hominem, look it up. Yes I know what category I posted this under, and yes I did it for a reason. Dna Denizen, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. But punky gardener, there is no Meat & Dairy section!
Asked by Cliff - Sat Apr 24 23:39:53 2010 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I think they are in certain instances. For example, I don't trust people who gossip. I wouldn't believe anything they said about anybody. Even if some of it turns out to be true; I don't consider a person who gossips to be trustworthy. But you can easily take it too far. A relative of my wife says he doesn't trust black people because he was once robbed at gunpoint by a black man. Ad hominems can be based on prejudice.
Answered by majnun99 - Sun Apr 25 11:51:07 2010

Which is the most popular ad hominem attack towards atheists?
Q. you hate god you're possessed by a demon the devil has a hold of you you lack faith so you can't understand you're probably a gay liberal you want to sin indiscriminately you have no morals you want to be your own god Or did I miss some? ad hominem: Attacking an opponent's character rather than answering his argument.
Asked by IPU Reigns - Wed Nov 11 15:19:45 2009 - - 26 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Are you kidding? We don't attack a person's character only his/her beliefs or lack of it. In fact, we don't even know who those people are or what their character is. And, mind you, even atheists do the same or maybe more.
Answered by unknown - Wed Nov 11 15:31:07 2009

Is this an example of ad hominem attacks?
Q. When people call you out on your spelling and grammar and say that instead of debating what you're saying, is that an example of an ad hominem attack?
Asked by I miss Arrested Development - Sun Mar 1 04:22:15 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes, it is a way of changing the subject or avoiding the subject and bringing attention to something else.
Answered by walk away - Sun Mar 1 04:29:16 2009

Is there a word for something that has the oposite meaning of ad hominem?
Q. Basically is there a word that can be defined as "Agreeing with a particular argument based on a person's character rather than the argument itself" ? While we're at it, does the "Hitler wears pants" argument count as a ad hominem? (Hitler wore pants, you wear pants, therfore anything you say can't be valid.) An example of what I mean goes like this. Joe: Bob says it's going to rain today Fred: The news said we should have sunshine all day. Joe: But Bob is a decorated soilder, are you saying you don't trust Bob, why don't you support our troops? Joe is making an argument for Bob based on Bob's character. I just found the answers, Appeal to authority and as for the Hitler question, reductio ad Hitlerum
Asked by jedi1josh - Wed Sep 19 08:34:20 2007 - - 1 Answers - 1 Comments

A. argumentum ad crumenam.
Answered by prozacfairy - Wed Sep 19 08:51:22 2007

Will the libs assassinate Ann Coulter with ad hominem attacks when her book debuts at #1 tomorrow?
Q. They certainly can't attack the substance of it. They have nothing less than ad hominem attacks. Just like they did to Paula Jones and Linda Tripp. Dragging these women down in the mud and ridiculing their God given feminine beauty. Shame on the left. Daniel ~ You're right. Liberals LOVE free speech unless they don't agree with you. In that case you must be silenced because you "spew hatred". LMAO. mild irritant ~ Wrong. Do you think those cowboys out in Wyoming who granted women the right to vote were big government Democrats?!? The Republican Party has always fought for minority rights. They did found the NAACP after all. here to help ~ Thanks for yet another *yawn* ad hominem attack. Read her book, you'd find yourself on her… [cont.]
Asked by reaganite27 - Tue Oct 2 01:57:35 2007 - - 13 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Of course they will. And, we will be treated to a day of brilliant examples of "liberal tolerance" (We HAVE to be tolerant of everything they think, say, do or believe, but God help us if we think, say, do or believe differently) when they call for her death on here, the more violent the death the better.
Answered by arcanum70 - Tue Oct 2 02:10:16 2007

i need help to change this into an ad hominem?
Q. okay so i was doing a project and my partner thought of this "Jenny is overweight, so her workout program doesn't work", but that's not an ad hominem. can anyone help me turn this into an ad hominem??? plz.
Asked by lgttsc14 - Thu Nov 15 02:44:27 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. i think you mean homonym... i suggest you look up what a homonym is then you might be able to work it out
Answered by purplebuggy - Thu Nov 15 02:49:01 2007

Why do Republicans use argumentum ad hominem?
Q. Is it because they have nothing esle to say? Is that was is taught in boarding school? I would like to have lunch with one of you and just discuss politics without such arguments. Anyone live in Southern NJ?
Asked by debra p - Mon Oct 27 14:57:25 2008 - - 10 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It's all that they have. Their theories and policies have been shown to be failures. They have found ad hominem attacks to be effective in the past and they have just become more vicious. Some get daily training from Talk Radio.
Answered by tribeca_belle - Mon Oct 27 15:02:16 2008

Is it those with only a limited capacity for understanding complex thought who revert to ad hominem attacks?
Q. Or do they simply suffer from a lack of vocabulary or social skills?
Asked by Pilgrim - Sat Aug 8 15:52:10 2009 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. They suffer from all of the above, as well as from a general disrespect for other human beings.
Answered by Pascha - Sat Aug 8 15:59:05 2009

Why do some folks feel the need to answer sincere, goodwill questions with ad hominem insults?
Q. I find this unfortunate.
Asked by Fresserheim - Wed Jan 21 14:47:50 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Those types of answers go with the level of intelligence. The worse part they have no idea how other members view their postings. Yet are surprised and outraged when they get their violation notice.
Answered by Iffy - Wed Jan 21 14:53:58 2009

What is argumentum ad hominem (a logical fallacy)?
Q. We engage in it every day. How many know what the term means?
Asked by Jimboy - Fri Oct 12 09:22:53 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It means to attack the person presenting an argument rather than the argument he presents. "I disagree with your statement because I know you are stupid" is an example.
Answered by odie - Fri Oct 12 09:28:50 2007

Do you know what an ad hominem attack is?
Q. Why do so many users of Yahoo Answers stoop to the logical fallacy of the ad hominem attack? Do you even know what it is or why it is wrong?
Asked by Cacaoatl - Tue Mar 20 15:13:09 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It means attacking the person. I think that the fallacy of hasty generalization is seen as much, if not more, than this fallacy. Some people do it because they either can't formulate an argument to counter the questioner or just smart azzes.
Answered by Spare me your bull - Tue Mar 20 15:21:25 2007

Are a platfrom of excuses and weak arguments the reasons for an increase of ad hominem attacks from the right?
Q. Its hard to get a straight answer out of them anymore, time for the neorats to jump ship I say.
Asked by The President - Tue Nov 6 20:08:06 2007 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments

A. yep> neorats should jump>i know someone is
Answered by Cyrus - Tue Nov 6 20:44:18 2007

What fallacy best fits begging a question,straw man, false dilemma,ad hominem? Why?
Q. Letter to the editor: Once again the Park Commission is considering closing North Park Drive for the sake of a few joggers and bicyclists. These so-called fitness enthusiasts would evidently have us give up to them for their own private use every last square inch of Walnut Grove. Then anytime anyone wanted a picnic, he would have to park at the edge of the park and carry everything in ice chests, chairs, maybe even grandma. I certainly hope the Commission keeps the entire park open for everyone to use.
Asked by Laura D - Thu Jan 22 22:42:13 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. All details are on their home page
Answered by Citroen Technician - Mon Jan 26 17:51:43 2009

Can it be understood that our society operates under the" Ad Hominem" guideline of thought?
Q. ...I mean doesn't gossip feed everything?And we should educate ourselves away from it-?
Asked by Dante it is... - Thu Mar 20 12:04:56 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes, over the last 30 years this has been a staple of American politics and elections. It would be nice if our system was above personal attacks, and instead focused on the issues, but it seems to be what we're all about.
Answered by Chris W - Thu Mar 20 12:17:43 2008

Why are Christians so fond of ad hominem?
Q. And why do they keep using terms of affection with me? No, I am not your Sweety.
Asked by Iam Ironman - Tue Jul 6 18:27:59 2010 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Every single argument I've ever heard in my entire life for the support of creationism or the existence of a deity has been some form of logical fallacy. It's all they have. As for why they use terms of endearment, I suppose it just makes them feel holier than thou, or at least more blessed in the eyes of the sky fairy.
Answered by Father Tucker - Tue Jul 6 18:30:54 2010

Can we create an ad hominem engine?
Q. I want to create a filter for Yahoo Answers (and the internet at large) so that answerers who post ad hominem arguments get filtered and blocked. (ad hominem is making personal attacks, rather than discussing a person's ideas) I'm so tired of haters making it personal. "You're a loser" rather than "I disagree with your point" who will sponsor me?
Asked by roboseyo - Sat Oct 6 01:45:15 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I suppose my question is who will monitor the questions so that it's applied fairly? You? I understand the sentiment behind your concern and believe your heart is in the right place but it's another of those things that happen when humans gather. It's hard to filter a subjective forum like Answers. Much would have to be taken into consideration and personally I would rather see a few inappropriate answers get thru than many appropriate ones blocked by the misapplication of such an attempt. I suppose I'm simply sensitive to censorship even when we are talking about idiots and jerks. I suppose we all have the right to make an "a ess ess" of ourselves now and then and I think the better solution is simply to turn your head or report… [cont.]
Answered by the ~maiden~ xanz - Sat Oct 6 03:25:38 2007

What group is notorious for utilizing ad hominem attacks?
Q. Insults, name-calling, smear tacticsin attempt attempting to discredit the messenger because they know that they cannot discredit the message. An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: "argument to the person", "argument against the man") consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim. It is most commonly used to refer specifically to the ad hominem abusive, or argumentum ad personam, which consists of criticizing or personally attacking an argument's proponent in an attempt to discredit that argument.
Asked by ervin_parker - Fri May 25 17:40:32 2007 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments

A. neocons like coulter and limbaugh.
Answered by AB17 - Fri May 25 17:43:52 2007

post hoc, hasty generalization, ad hominem, how and why are knowledge of these fallacies useful for a writer?
Q. As a writer these logical fallacies are useful. How are they useful and why are they useful?
Asked by Leigh67 - Thu May 22 18:36:43 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. short answer: So that one can use them more skillfully, and not in an inarticulate or coarse manner. Imagine a perfectly logical piece of text; is it interesting? Does it closely reflect reality? Will one be able to confront opponents from a totally different plane? If war is fought in the trenches, that's where the soldier needs to be, only with a more formidable edge (or an extra bandida of stronger armour piercing warheads.)
Answered by Lexico - Thu May 22 18:57:06 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: 'Ad hominem'
Thu Jul 29 11:17:32 2010 [ refresh local cache ]

Monckton's climate denial is a gift to those who take the science seriously - The Guardian
guardian.co.uk
Monckton's climate denial is a gift to those who take the science seriously - The Guardian
Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:18:20 GMT+00:00
The Guardian Falsely accuse the other person of ad hominem attacks, while making vicious ad hominem attacks of your own. I have seen it done many times before, ...
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Thu Jun 24 03:25:23 2010
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RMD I have screengrabs of 4 of the 5 threads he posted these in they got modded pretty quick so their kinda short but i ll upload them if someone makes a r

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Another Idiotic Piece from Professor Bainbridge - The Corporate ...
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Another Idiotic Piece from Professor Bainbridge - The Corporate ...

Nell Minow

hu, 29 Jul 2010 11:30:22 GM

Stephen M. Bainbridge, who has been consistently wrong about just about everything since his defense of excessive CEO compensation more than 20 years ago, continues his losing streak with a blog, to fire off flaccid . ad hominem. attacks ...

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