Ad hominem argument

Literally, “to the man,” an ad hominem is an attack on the person, rather than a critical engagement with their position. Versions of the ad hominem are 1) ad hominem circumstantial, where a person’s circumstances—for example, political or religious affiliations—are used as grounds to dismiss a claim rather than critically engaging with the claim itself; and 2) “Tu quoque,” or “you’re one, too,” in which a person accuses someone of hypocrisy, rather than addressing that person’s position.