“Ad hominem is a notoriously weak logical argument. And is usually used to distract the focus of a discussion – to move it from an indefensible point and to attack the opponent.”

Lord Aquitainus Attis ~ Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

Ad hominem and tu quoque are two common logical fallacies that are often used in arguments. They are both fallacious because they attack the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.

Ad hominem and tu quoque fallacies are often used in political debates and in advertising. They can be effective because they make it easy to attack an opponent’s character, even if that attack is irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Ad Hominem

Ad hominem is a Latin phrase that means “to (or against) the person.” It is a type of logical fallacy that attacks the person making the argument instead of the argument itself. For example, an ad hominem attack might be something like, “You can’t trust what he says, he’s a convicted felon.”

Examples:

  • “You can’t trust what she says, she’s a conservative.”
  • “He’s a climate change denier, so we shouldn’t listen to his opinion on science.”
  • “She’s a single mother, so she doesn’t have time to be on the school board”

Tu quoque

Tu quoque is a Latin phrase that means “you too.” It is a type of ad hominem attack that accuses the person making the argument of hypocrisy. For example, a tu quoque attack might be something like, “You say I’m lazy, but you’re always sleeping in.”

Examples:

  • “You say we should eat healthy, but you’re always eating junk food.”
  • “You’re criticizing me for being a hypocrite, but you’re a hypocrite yourself.”
  • “You say we should reduce our carbon emissions, but you drive a gas-guzzler.”

It is important to be aware of ad hominem and tu quoque fallacies so that you can avoid being misled by them. When someone is trying to persuade you, ask yourself if they are attacking the person making the argument or the argument itself. If they are attacking the person, then be careful not to let them fool you.

Tips

Here are some tips for avoiding ad hominem and tu quoque fallacies in your own arguments:

  • Focus on the argument itself, not the person making the argument.
  • Avoid using personal attacks or insults.
  • Be respectful of the other person, even if you disagree with them.

By following these tips, you can have more productive and informative conversations.