Insights:

1. Ad hominem attacks do not address the substance of the argument.

Definition: When you use a weaker or distorted version of a position to argue against.

Insights:

1. Straw man arguments can be used on purpose, or can simply reflect ignorance or a lack of effort to understand opposing points of view.
2. 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.
3. 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.