====== Appeal to motive ======


A rhetorical attack on the person ([[index|ad hominem]]) in which they are accused of having an ulterior motive for holding the opinion in question.

For example:

> ''A'': Scientific studies have shown that homeopathic treatments have no significant effect on patients beyond the placebo effect.
> ''B'': <u invalid "appeal to motive">No wonder you’d say something like that – I know full well that you own shares in pharmaceutical companies!</u>

Clearly, when determining the validity of ''A''’s argument, their financial interest in the economic success of pharmaceutical companies is irrelevant. ''B''’s statement does not refute the argument put forward by ''A''.

The same is true in reverse, by the way: even if someone makes money from homeopathy, that alone is //not// an argument for or against its effectiveness.

===== Other Names =====

  * Performative ad hominem
  * Circumstantial ad hominem
  * Appeal to motive
  * Appeal to bias
  * Vested interest

Some forms also have specific terms associated with them, such as “<i :la>(Argumentum) ad iram</i>”, which refers to the insinuation that someone is motivated by //anger// or //hatred//.

===== Description =====

Attributing an external motive to an opponent for holding a particular opinion does not objectively address the argument itself ([[glossary:ad_res_rem|ad res]]), but rather constitutes an argument against the person presenting the argument. More specifically, it denies the opponent the right to “be allowed” to hold a position; thus the alternative name “performative ad hominem”.