From: Mark Steven Heyman (markheyman@infoproconsulting.com)
Date: Fri Aug 12 2005 - 01:56:42 BST
someone asked:
Further, msh doesn't respond to Pirsig's citing those who engage in ad
hominem attacks as "evil." Does anyone wonder why?
msh 08-11-05:
The reason is, I've responded several times to TFP's misunderstanding
of what is meant by an ad hominem rebuttal. But, FTR, here's
something from 6 months ago...
msh way back in January, 2005:
There's another angle to consider in this cacophony of what is and
isn't an ad hominem attack. The idea of "refuting" an argument ad
hominem is different from simply insulting someone. If someone holds up a
lemon and says "This is an apple, see the coarse yellow rind," and I say
"Only a moron would think that's an apple," that's attacking an argument
ad hominem. If I say, "Look, most apples have a slick smooth red skin and
sweet taste. What you're holding is almost certainly a lemon," this is an
empirical and logical refutation of someone's mistaken idea. If I then
add "And, BTW, you're a moron for thinking you're holding an apple," I've
issued an insult, not an ad hominem attack on an argument.
Now, if we can only get those conservative assholes to understand
this.
Best to all,
Mark Steven Heyman (msh)
--
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They always throw around this term 'the liberal elite.' And I kept
thinking to myself about the Christian right. What's more elite than
believing that only you will go to heaven?" --Jon Stewart
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