From "How to Disagree"'s definition of Ad Hominem: For example, if a senator wrote an article saying senators' salaries should be increased, one could respond:

From "How to Disagree"'s definition of Ad Hominem: For example, if a senator wrote an article saying senators' salaries should be increased, one could respond: Of course he would say that. He's a senator. This wouldn't refute the author's argument, but it may at least be relevant to the case. It's still a very weak form of disagreement, though. If there's something wrong with the senator's argument, you should say what it is; and if there isn't, what difference does it make that he's a senator? http://www.paulgraham.com/disagree.html http://www.paulgraham.com/disagree.html