ad hominem literary definition
1 When examining literary or philosophical works, looking at the author's character or circumstances can sometimes provide insight into that person's ideas. 2  In other words, ad hominem considerations can show motives and can sometimes provide explanation. 1 If a philosopher presents a naturalistic view of knowledge, arguing that all knowledge is a function of the adjustment of an organism to its environment and at the same time pleads that his own knowledge is an exception to this generalization, then the ad hominem fallacy would occur. 1 Self-reference and ad hominem 2  : If a philosopher presents a naturalistic view of knowledge, arguing that all knowledge is a function of the adjustment of an organism to its environment and at the same time pleads that his own knowledge is an exception to this generalization, then the ad hominem fallacy would occur. Significance of Fallacy in Literature. Authors generally use fallacy examples in their works of literature to provide characterization. The use of fallacy illustrates the inner mental workings of a character, and in this way the reader can better understand where that character is coming from. The first of these types is called formal fallacy, which refers to a fallacy that can be disproven in a straightforward manner using a standard system of logic. The other type of fallacy, not surprisingly, is called informal fallacy, and refers to an error in reasoning rather than incorrect logic. 1 Uses of ad hominem considerations: 2  When examining literary or philosophical works, looking at the author's character or circumstances can sometimes provide insight into that person's ideas. 3  In other words, ad hominem considerations can show motives and can sometimes provide explanation. Definition of Fallacy. A fallacy is a display of faulty reasoning that makes an argument invalid, or a faulty belief based on an unsound argument. Many fallacies are deceptive in that they may appear to be based on sound reasoning and seem to follow good logic. Definition of Ad Hominem. Ad hominem, which stands for the Latin term argumentum ad hominem, is a response to a person’s argument by attacking the person’s character rather than the logic or content of the argument. Ad hominem remarks are often an example of fallacy, because they are irrelevant to the overall argument. 1 The personal attack is also often termed an  ad personem argument: the statement or argument at issue is dropped from consideration or is ignored, and the locutor's character or circumstances are used to influence opinion. 2  The fallacy draws its appeal from the technique of getting personal.. The Latin term ad hominem means literally “to the man.” Therefore, the definition of the full term argumentum ad hominem means bringing the argument to the person, rather than the argument itself.
A response to a person’s argument by attacking the person’s character rather than the logic or content of the argument.