Ad Hominem
I learned a new word. I talked with my English teacher about this style of argument, or rather, “argument” without any argument. I think that some politicians use this very often, and the argument escapes the discussion, and the audience who are watching it on site or on TV. I think we should not be fascinated by this tactics.
Donald Trump mocked “political correctness”. His political “incorrectness” is shown in his argumentum ad hominem as well as in his straw-man argument.
“The ad hominem is typically described as an attack against the person, or more specifically their character, personality, or physical appearance. Most people consider this a rhetorical fallacy: a weak argument based upon immateriality. And yet, Mr. Trump is using them. Successfully.”
Trump: King of the Ad Hominem
https://silvertonguetimes.com/2016/03/14/trump-king-of-the-ad-hominem/
The Ad Hominem Fallacy | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios
The 229 People, Places and Things Donald Trump Has Insulted on Twitter: A Complete List
In modern Anglo-US politics it is pretty much ALL we hear, a lot of the time…
I think that some politicians are fascinated by this tactics more desperately than others.
You cannot change scorpion’s nature. I feel sorry for the frogs who are carrying the dangerous presumptive nominee across a wide river.
I used to watch PM’s questions on Wednesday morning, but in the end I gave up. It was always an entertaining show, but it was not much more than the PM and the leader of the opposition throwing out every ad hominem they could. It reminded me of the debating society debates I used to attend. I liked attending these events, since it is a fun sport, but it is a sport and nothing more. Such debating tactics should not be used in real debates.
Political correctness should be mocked. It is simply saying something in a roundabout way because some fragile people are too immature and emotionally sensitive (like babies) to call something what it really is.
You seem to have a fetish for attacking this Trump guy for some reason. Other people (especially politicians) use this stuff ALL. THE. TIME. Maybe if there was an anti-them media storm you would continually create threads against them too?
Political correctness simply means “the principle of avoiding language and behaviour that may offend particular groups of people”(OALD).
The straw man you forged is a statement that P. C. means “saying something in a roundabout way because some fragile people are too immature and emotionally sensitive (like babies) to call something what it really is.” You forged a different statement, which is the straw man you made and try to criticize.
The “Straw Man” Fallacy
(Edited.)
platyphylla wrote:
"You seem to have a fetish for attacking this Trump guy for some reason. "
This is a typical example of the argumentum ad hominem. He talks about “having a fetish for attacking”. My argument is that the presumptive nominee Donald Trump uses the argumentum ad hominem. His comment has no argument here.
He also wrote:
"Other people (especially politicians) use this stuff ALL. THE. TIME. "
I am not talking about “other people”. You’d better create a new thread, if you happen to come upon such people.
Edited.
Once again, I don’t think this is a good example of a straw-man argument. platyphylla wasn’t misrepresenting anybodies argument in his/her definition of political correctness.
I think there is a misunderstanding here. Yutaka said: “…I think you are a big fun of the draw-man argument…”. If we eliminate the typos, what he surely meant was: " I think you (platyphylla)are a big fan of the drawn-gun argument".
And he’s right! Platy-babes always shoots from the hip!
The last straw for me was the infamous occasion when Cameron “answered” one of the questions at PMQs by criticising the fit of Corbyn’s jacket and saying he didn’t do his tie up properly. The media reported it as if it were some ultra-clever political witticism. It wasn’t - it was an utter cheap shot which said nothing intelligent or interesting.
I’m no fan of Corbyn or his brand of politics - far from it. But it seemed to me that criticism of a political opponent’s clothes or personal appearance was a new low (for UK politics at any rate.)
John McCain
UNITED STATES SENATOR
“dummy”
“graduated last in his class”
“should be defeated in the primaries”
“doing a lousy job in taking care of our Vets”
“let us down”
“has failed miserably”
“All he does is go on television is talk, talk, talk”
“incapable of doing anything.”
“I am no fan”
“has done nothing”
“very foul mouthed”
“begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won)”
“sadly weak on immigration”
“always looking to start World War III”
“He’s been losing so long he doesn’t know how to win anymore”
“never had any intention of voting for this Bill”
“Let Arizona down!”
“let his best friend L.G. down!”
“My oh my has he changed-complete turn from years of talk!”
The 459 People, Places and Things Donald Trump Has Insulted on Twitter: A Complete List
The number was 229 two years ago, and it is now 459.
What a weird world we are living in. Is Donald Trump still president of the U.S.?
ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN
https://www.johnmccain.com/aboutjohn.php
He had a good understanding of false arguments.
This was a typical nonsense joke.
I don’t understand what “platy-babes” means. Ad Hominem?
Ad Hominem
This seems to be a very instructive video.
For instruction purposes, the first one, calling McCain a “dummy” is Ad Hominem. All the others are not.
I think that if some of these expressions which negatively describe McCain’s character or ability, were used by Donald Trump to distract sincere discussions, they are ad hominem arguments. For example, “graduated last in his class”.
(Edited.)