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The ad Hominem argument as an informal fallacy

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Abstract

This article outlines criteria for the evaluation of the argumentum ad hominem (argument against the person, or personal attack in argument) that is traditionally a part of the curriculum in informal logic. The argument is shown to be a kind of criticism which works by shifting the burden of proof in dialogue through citing a pragmatic inconsistency in an arguer's position. Several specific cases of ad hominem argumentation which pose interesting problems in analyzing this type of criticism are studied.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, University of Winnipeg, R3B 2E9, Winnipeg, Canada

    Douglas N. Walton

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  1. Douglas N. Walton
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Walton, D.N. The ad Hominem argument as an informal fallacy. Argumentation 1, 317–331 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136781

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00136781

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