- Insight: Ad hominem attacks do not address the substance of the argument.
Do They Think You're Stupid?
by Julian Baggini
Published date: 2008
Category: Philosophy
Index Topics & Notes
- Definition: When you use a weaker or distorted version of a position to argue against.
- Insight: Straw man arguments can be used on purpose, or can simply reflect ignorance or a lack of effort to understand opposing points of view.
- Insight: There are strong incentives to use straw men in arguments - the virtues of our arguments are made more obvious than if it is conceded that opponents have validity to their arguments.
- Insight: There is a strong incentive for people to win arguments, and we often forget that the aim of debates is for the truth to win.