Clcik Here For Mission: Critical (Ad Hominem Introduction)

Mission: Critical (Ad Hominem Introduction): "But because we often react more strongly to personalities than to the sometimes abstract and complex arguments they are making, ad hominem appeals are often very effective with someone who is not thinking critically. Consider a few examples:

A political candidate is gaining support by proposing a tax change. So her opponent argues that the candidate herself would be one of the chief beneficiaries of that tax change.

Your doctor tells you to lose some weight. But why should you listen to a doctor who is himself overweight?

A friend has recommended a new investment opportunity, but your significant other rejects the recommendation with the remark, 'How could you possibly value the advice of that idiot?'

In each of these cases, there is an argument (concerning taxes, health, or investments); and in each, the argument is given less importance than something about the person making that argument. And that's what is wrong with ad hominem appeals. After all, if the tax proposal is an improvement, if the medical diagnosis is sound, if the investment opportunity is worthwhile--then what difference does it make who is presenting the argument--or even why?"