Chapter 1: Ad Fontem Arguments

Arguments that state that an idea should be discounted simply because of its source or origin

• Genetic source

• Genetic Origins

• Ad Hominem Circumstantial

• Genetic Fallacy

John: Slow down, you are going 10 mph over the speed limit.

Mark: You're telling me to drive more slowly, but you're the one with four speeding tickets this year! I may drive over the speed limit sometimes, but I don't drive nearly as fast as you do

• Tu Quoque

• Genetic Fallacy

• Appeal to Illegitimate Authority

• Chronological Snobbery

Arguments that attempt to avoid the issue by insulting an opponent with abusive language.

• Ad Hominem Avoidance

• Appeal to Abuse

• Ad Hominem Abusive

• Tu Quoque

Of course Julie argues that car companies should build their cars to stricter standards of safety. Her brother works for the Automobile Safety Commission. His entire life is dedicated to car safety!

• Appeal to Pity

• Irrelevant Thesis

• Tu Quoque

• Genetic Fallacy

Arguments that assume that a rival's recommendation should be discounten because the rival does no always follow it himself

• Ad Quoque

• Tu Quoque

• Ad Hominem Abusive

• Genetic Fallacy

Sharon, you are a lazy slacker. No one is going to listen to your advice on how to study for the exam.

• Ad Hominem Offensive

• Genetic Fallacy

• Ad Hominem Circumstantial

• Ad Hominem Abusive

Arguments that try to discredit an opponent because of his background, affiliations, or self-interest in the matter at hand.

• Genetic Circumstances

• Ad Hominem Conditions

• Ad Hominem Circumstantial

• Genetic Fallacy

That is a typical argument from someone who was raised in a wealthy family---of course you want to reduce taxes for the rich!

• Ad Hominem Circomstantial

• Tu Quoque

• Genetic Fallacy

• Irrelevant Thesis

The type of fallacies in chapter one

Hint: A subgroup of the fallacies of relevance, these arguments distract by focusing attention on the source of the argument, rather than on the issue itself )

• Appeals to Emotion

• Ad Fontem Arguments

• Red Herrings

• Faccacies of Presupposition