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If a particular person has been demonstrated in the past to be an unreliable source, it is not fallacious to say that they have been demonstrated in the past to
by ubernostrum 9y ago
If a particular person has been demonstrated in the past to be an unreliable source, it is not fallacious to say that they have been demonstrated in the past to be an unreliable source.
Not every comment about a person is an example of the ad hominem fallacy.
- darkerside 9y agoWell, ad hominem is certainly a logical fallacy, and discrediting the article by discrediting the author is a clear example of it. However, logic is not the only basis in which to challenge an article. I agree the information is relevant, and I think it's worth people understanding that logical arguments are not the only ones that carry water.
- ubernostrum 9y agoCasting doubt on an article by pointing out the documented, verifiable unreliability of its author or primary source is not an example of the ad hominem fallacy. HN has an unfortunate love of the fallacy fallacy.
- darkerside 9y agoI'm not arguing that impugning the author's credibility is fallacious here. Only that it's logically fallacious. Doesn't make it wrong, but a worthy distinction nonetheless.