“Ad hominem” means “I didn’t do any homework or understand the subject matter, and I felt humiliated when someone responded to me in a clear way that made me realize how obviously wrong I am; and any humility I have to experience as a result of our dialog is an attack on my personal character”
Like you don’t even have to be mean or call names, people legit respond “ad hominem” when your reply is something like “you should consider how your beliefs would hurt people,” since they believe it implies that 1. They are willing or capable to hurt people or allow them to be hurt as long as their individual views aren’t really challenged (probably true, but a harsh truth), or 2. Not considering others is an intellectual lack that is 1:1 a synonym for stupidity, only pointed out by equally cynical opponents in order to harm their argument, and by extension, bring into question their ability to even make convincing and accurate arguments; which is a sign of unintelligence.
Like people don’t even realize all the snap second assumptions we make about others in any social situation. Let alone, one where there is a difference of perspective, experience, politics, or even style.
I don’t wanna be like making up people to get mad at, but ive seen this like twice this week in argument threads, and experienced it directly in every which way. All I know is when someone throws out “ad hominem” I have never seen it used to call out a real fallacy. Sophistry minded debate bros only care about if an argument is perceived as true or not, and so lists of fallacies are nothing but a way to save face, to accuse someone else of being a cheater, when they start to lose the game they decided on playing.
“Ad hominem” means “I didn’t do any homework or understand the subject matter, and I felt humiliated when someone responded to me in a clear way that made me realize how obviously wrong I am; and any humility I have to experience as a result of our dialog is an attack on my personal character”
Like you don’t even have to be mean or call names, people legit respond “ad hominem” when your reply is something like “you should consider how your beliefs would hurt people,” since they believe it implies that 1. They are willing or capable to hurt people or allow them to be hurt as long as their individual views aren’t really challenged (probably true, but a harsh truth), or 2. Not considering others is an intellectual lack that is 1:1 a synonym for stupidity, only pointed out by equally cynical opponents in order to harm their argument, and by extension, bring into question their ability to even make convincing and accurate arguments; which is a sign of unintelligence.
Like people don’t even realize all the snap second assumptions we make about others in any social situation. Let alone, one where there is a difference of perspective, experience, politics, or even style.
I don’t wanna be like making up people to get mad at, but ive seen this like twice this week in argument threads, and experienced it directly in every which way. All I know is when someone throws out “ad hominem” I have never seen it used to call out a real fallacy. Sophistry minded debate bros only care about if an argument is perceived as true or not, and so lists of fallacies are nothing but a way to save face, to accuse someone else of being a cheater, when they start to lose the game they decided on playing.