====== (Argumentum) ad res / ad rem ======

Latin for: “(argument) on the matter”. Denotes a //factual// argument – in contrast to an <i :la>[[rhetoric:red_herrings:ad_hominem:index|ad hominem]]</i> argument, which is directed in an unobjective manner against the person making an argument.

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<h3 [style=font-size:.9em]>“<i :la>Ad res </i> ” or “<i :la>ad rem </i> ”</h3>

Both “<i :la>res</i>” (e.g. nominative and accusative plural), and “<i :la>rem</i>” (accusative singular) are correct Latin forms that can follow the preposition “<i :la>ad</i>”, and there are good arguments for the use of either variant in this context.

Since the variant “<i :la>ad rem</i>” follows the format of the other “<i :la>argumentum ad …</i>”-names, it is the preferred form on this site. From this, however, one cannot conclude that this form is somehow “more correct” than “<i :la>ad res </i>”.
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===== Validity =====

The term <i :la>res</i> refers solely to the fact that an argument addresses the “matter” being discussed, and serves to distinguish it from <i :la>[[rhetoric:red_herrings:ad_hominem:index|ad hominem]]</i> arguments, which target the person rather than the argument.

Even such arguments “on the matter”, however, can still be //fallacious// or unfair in other ways. Alone from an argument being <i :la>ad res</i> does not follow that it is also //valid//.

===== See also =====

  * <i :la>[[rhetoric:red_herrings:ad_hominem:index|(Argumentum) ad Hominem]]</i>

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