Question

What is an argument that attacks someone’s character motives?

Answer 1

An argument that attacks someone’s character motives is known as an *ad hominem* fallacy. This type of argument focuses on discrediting an individual instead of addressing the argument or issue at hand. For example, instead of rebutting a person's point about climate change by discussing scientific evidence, one might say, "You can't trust her opinion on climate change; she only supports those ideas because she benefits financially from green energy companies." This shifts the focus from the validity of the argument to an attack on the individual's character and motives, which does not effectively engage with the actual topic being discussed.