Personal attack
🧠Psych - 213/300
Hello reader,
Hope you’re doing good and sound.
In this email, I am going to tell you about Personal Attacking aka Ad Hominem.
Personal Attack
The personal attack fallacy, also known as ad hominem fallacy, is when someone attacks the person making an argument, rather than addressing the argument itself.
This fallacy occurs when someone tries to discredit an argument by attacking the character, motives, or other personal traits of the person making the argument, rather than addressing the argument's merits.
For example, if someone argues that a particular policy is not effective, and another person responds by saying, "Well, you're just saying that because you're a member of the other political party," that would be a personal attack fallacy. The response does not address the original argument but instead attacks the person making the argument.
It is important to recognize and avoid the personal attack fallacy, as it can undermine the quality of discussions and debates, and prevent progress from being made. Instead, it is important to focus on the substance of the argument and address it directly.
Exciting news! The Psych Handbook is now available as a physical book on Amazon, in addition to the Kindle edition!
With clear explanations and fun visuals of 150+ biases, The Psych Handbook makes complex concepts more accessible. So, head over to Amazon and grab your copy today!
What do I need to know?
Here are two takeaways to keep in mind when trying to avoid the personal attack fallacy:
Focus on the argument, not the person: It is important to focus on the substance of the argument being made, rather than attacking the person making the argument. Address the argument itself, and avoid making personal attacks or assumptions about the motives or character of the other person.
Use constructive criticism: Instead of attacking the person making the argument, provide constructive criticism that addresses the argument's merits. This can help to promote a more productive and respectful conversation, and can ultimately lead to better outcomes.