T_Clark

That's the main question I'm trying to get at - when is it reasonable to raise questions about something personal about someone as an argument. If som...

I was responding to this: Freud's psychoanalytic approach is one such way. I wasn't expressing an opinion on his ideas one way or the other. This is n...

As you well know, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

The term "ad hominem" refers to arguments. An insult is not an argument.

It is a human characteristic that we like to divide things. That's analysis. It's what we do. We just can't help ourselves. Probably the most famous w...

My understanding is that having orgasms is why Adam and Eve were kicked out. Now that's what I call a tree of knowledge.

The term "ad hominem" applies to arguments. An insult is not an argument and is not an ad hominem attack.

A new logical fallacy - the midwestern self-deprecatory self-ad hominem.

Agreed, but there are times when credentials are relevant.

Yes. I was overstating the case for rhetorical effect.

I think it's corporate finance that is disenchanting. For profit makers, the only justification for action is making money. Spending money for enchant...

I think Thompson is aware of that and intends it.

We can go back and forth in deciding when a personal attack is an appropriate argument. It would just be easier if people were clearer and didn't use ...

If you're saying people call things logical fallacies because their too lazy to be more specific about their objections, I agree with you.

As you say, it's pretty clear to me when someone is just being insulting. It is less clear when it might be appropriate to raise questions about someo...

This is a well thought out, clear, and useful discussion. Thanks.

Which brings us back to my original concern - What should be considered an ad hominem argument and when, if ever, is it appropriate.

Justification is needed when time comes to use knowledge as the basis for action. Actions have risks, consequences. I can't make a reasoned decision a...

Um... Hmm...Well... No comment.

Yes, I did read it. Here it is. Walton has argued that ad hominem reasoning is not always fallacious, and that in some instances, questions of persona...

Banno has a new icon. Take a look.

As far as I can tell, as soon as people started gathering in large groups, their leaders started wanting the groups and the area controlled to get lar...

I'm a little lost in this conversation, which is fine. For what it's worth, my memory of Collingwood is that he identified "There is a God" as an abso...

So, today we find out what I've always suspected - @"Banno" is an attractive young blond woman.

I live in the suburbs. We aren't zoned for Jesus.

Agreed. Looking at the list in Wikipedia, it seems to me that most wars are caused by empire building, even when the entities involved have strong rel...

I didn't think I had anything of interest to offer about your entire argument. It's not something I have strong feelings about. On the other hand, I a...

Good post, although I'd like to point out it is neither bitter nor cranky.

We're talking about religion, not "similar irrational ideals." Here's a link to Wikipedia "List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll" htt...

Since we're talking about Britney Spears, here's my vote for the best cover of any song ever. Music starts at about 25 seconds. https://www.youtube.co...

I like the idea of Santa Claus. I think it, along with other things, teaches kids that the world cares for them. That they belong here. Santa certainl...

This is not true at all except in the most trivial sense.

People know how to talk about Santa Claus and Pegasus the same way we know how to talk about Joe Biden and shoe horns; love and chickens; and coelacan...

Yes. You and I have had this conversation before.

I'm 69. I'm not ignoring my death as it get's inevitably closer, but I'm very likely to die within the next 20 years. I'm leading a pretty good life. ...

I've always been interested in and good at science and math. When I was young - still in high school on into college, materialism and determinism seem...

You and I see things differently.

Are you and @"Noble Dust" saying that it's tow trucks all the way down?

That's not the problem. The problem isn't science, it's the connection between science and action. That's politics and it get's mixed up with corporat...

I agree, but the moderators still have the responsibility to provide fair, reasonable, and consistent decisions. Yes. Baden et. al. are all-powerful r...

Why don't we put this episode of "Bannings" out of it's misery.

Even I, who has taken strong exception to some of the moderator's recent bannings, think that is a terrible idea. I'm sure others will point out that ...

I'm not sure the constitutes a feature, but here goes: There have been a few what I consider unnecessary bannings recently, in particular of fairly ne...

Thanks for the opportunity to pull out one of my favorite quotes: To believe our own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private hea...

Her comments made sense to me. I can understand why a woman would be upset by the way the definition of the word "woman" being changed without a thoug...

I don't think she was banned for being a feminist. I think she was banned for forcefully expressing a reasonable feminist position that wasn't in line...

I just went and looked through @"Iris0"'s posts, such as they are. Generally they seemed on target and reasonable. It was certainly clear that she fel...

I hope this doesn't seem off-topic to you. It's what came to mind when I read the above. This is from a post Wayfarer made last week.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

This is something that has always bothered me. If it's important that the person be kicked out in order to maintain the quality of the forum, so be it...