argumentum ad hominem

Argumentum ad hominem, or an ad hominem fallacy, occurs when someone attacks a person's character or traits to discredit their argument instead of addressing the argument itself. For example, rather than discussing the merits of a politician's policy, one might focus on their past mistakes or reputation. This tactic distracts from the actual issue and undermines constructive debate. It’s important in discussions to critique ideas based on their content, rather than targeting the individual, to foster reasoned and effective discourse.