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ad_hominem:appeal_to_motive [31.08.26, 16:33:56] – created saschaad_hominem:appeal_to_motive [02.09.26, 08:52:45] (current) – sascha
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-#TODO This page is just a placeholder for now. It will be translated soon.+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”. 
 + 

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