›
If you have an email ending in @hotmail.com, @live.com or @outlook.com (or any other Microsoft-related domain), please consider changing it to another email provider; Microsoft decided to instantly block the server's IP, so emails can't be sent to these addresses.
If you use an @yahoo.com email or any related Yahoo services, they have blocked us also due to "user complaints"
-UE

Ad Hominem attacks in my local political discourse

HatterHatter
edited 2011-05-12 08:13:31 in General
Glaives are better.
This morning, I woke up, went on an imageboard, then went downstairs to eat some newspaper and read some cereal.

The newspaper was the most retarded thing I've seen, done or heard today.

People need to realize that making your political opponents look bad by calling them bigots or questioning their masculinity doesn't win the argument - it just makes you look like a colossal, retarded tool. Like a giant hammer with the head of Lewis Black. It doesn't make you look smart, except to other colossal, retarded tools.

Note that I'm not dissing people's political opinions. I'm fine with people thinking that gun control should be outlawed, even if I disagree with them, and even though I have problems with the idea that people should be prevented from voting on gay marriage (I think the states should decide, as I don't believe it's a constitutional matter) I can't fault them for having an opinion. Like they say, "I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler."

It's the level of discourse I don't like.

Comments

  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    "This morning, I woke up, went on an imageboard, then went downstairs to eat some newspaper and read some cereal."

    WAT
  • HatterHatter
    Glaives are better.
    I never said I was a clever man.
  • TurtleTurtle
    I like turtles.
    Not much to say here except I, too, am tired of political ads (on both sides) doing nothing but trying to discredit the opposition.
  • ChagenChagen
    [tɕagɛn]
    I have to wonder--if an ad points out how the opponent has messed up earlier on and says that's why it's not good to vote for him/her, is that Ad Hominem?
  • NoimportaNoimporta
    edited 2011-05-12 14:27:45
    I can't say if this is the case, but sometimes an insult is just an insult, no ad hominem involved. 
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    But isn't an insult ad hominem? I mean, ad hominem is the idea that an argument's validity is determined or at least affected by the person who posits an argument. So, if I use an insult in a discussion to (supposedly) make a point, wouldn't that be an ad hominem deal?

  • All NinesAll Nines
    edited 2011-05-12 12:59:26
    Has friends besides tanks now
    An insult is ad hominem if it's being used as a reason why someone's argument is faultily constructed or incorrect. In a debate, an insult meant to affect the issue at hand would be an ad hominem attack, but just saying "you're an idiot", or something to that effect, whether or not you're actually debating, is just an insult, as it doesn't have any bearing on the issue being argued or the arguing techniques of the targeted debater.

    If it's "an insult in a discussion to (supposedly) make a point", then yes, it's ad hominem.
Sign In or Register to comment.