Things that aren't Ad Hominem

last edited 2024-11-05

"Ad Hominem" is a logical fallacy where you try to discredit an argument by criticizing the person making it. But there are some things that people often call out for being Ad Hominem that aren't:

Insults. Ad Hominem is when you use insults *in place of* an argument; insulting your opponent *alongside* answering their argument, or otherwise without pretending your insults are a substitute for argument, for example as parting words when you withdraw from a conversation, is not an Ad Hominem.

Using personal attacks to discredit something that relies on the opponent's character. If someone is asking you to believe them about something rather than presenting an argument that's supposed to prove it, questioning their reliability is reasonable.