Ad hominem (Latin for ‘to the person’), short for argumentum ad hominem, refers to several types of arguments, some but not all of which are fallacious. Typically this term refers to a rhetorical strategy where the speaker attacks the character, motive, or some other attribute of the person making an argument rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself. This avoids genuine debate by creating a diversion to some irrelevant but often highly charged issue. The most common form of this fallacy is “A makes a claim x, B asserts that A holds a property that is unwelcome, and hence B concludes that argument x is wrong”.
Valid ad hominem arguments occur in informal logic, where the person making the argument relies on arguments from authority such as testimony, expertise, or on a selective presentation of information supporting the position they are advocating. In this case, counter-arguments may be made that the target is dishonest, lacks the claimed expertise, or has a conflict of interest. Another type of valid ad hominem argument generally only encountered in specialized philosophical usage refers to the dialectical strategy of using the target’s own beliefs and arguments against them, while not agreeing with the validity of those beliefs and arguments.
I agree that we have swept mental illness under the rug for far too long. But I can’t believe there are people dissing Simone Biles for stepping down when she did (not to mention Naomi Osaka’s decision to step down from tennis for a while). They say “to err is human” but people don’t expect athletes to be human. Biles is a legend, and no one can take that away from her.
Ms. Biles’s current issue may not really be one of mental health — she reports a case of “the twisties”, a problem apparently well-known to gymnasts, where the athlete loses the sense of where the ground is in relation to her body during gymnastic maneuvers. A problem of the inner ears? A matter of retraining the connection of inner ear and brain? But it’s a clear danger to the anyone doing the sorts of things that Ms. Biles has done so well, and she’s absolutely right to step back. As are those others, such as Ms. Osaka, who just need to take care of themselves for other reasons.
RAGs over 2 years ago
And she also inspired some of the athletes who competed, just as she was inspired by those who went before her.
sipsienwa Premium Member over 2 years ago
Thank you, Mr. Alcaraz. And Ms. Biles and Ms. Osaka.
KenseidenXL over 2 years ago
Top UK Cricketer Ben Stokes had taken a leave from the sport for “mental health” reasons.
Odon Premium Member over 2 years ago
Lalo – An excellent toon!
SpacemanSpliff over 2 years ago
I wish the world would care about mental health for regular people as much as they do for famous people…
GiantShetlandPony over 2 years ago
In allowing her teammates to compete and win their medals, she’s likely earned lifelong friends as well.
I don’t really watch much of the Olympics, but am hoping to see her floor routine. That is the place she always seems the happiest.
rlaker22j over 2 years ago
afraid to lose
DEACON FRED over 2 years ago
Meanwhile a certain political party will make fun of the issue.
I C U over 2 years ago
Word of the day: Ad hominem
Ad hominem (Latin for ‘to the person’), short for argumentum ad hominem, refers to several types of arguments, some but not all of which are fallacious. Typically this term refers to a rhetorical strategy where the speaker attacks the character, motive, or some other attribute of the person making an argument rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself. This avoids genuine debate by creating a diversion to some irrelevant but often highly charged issue. The most common form of this fallacy is “A makes a claim x, B asserts that A holds a property that is unwelcome, and hence B concludes that argument x is wrong”.
Valid ad hominem arguments occur in informal logic, where the person making the argument relies on arguments from authority such as testimony, expertise, or on a selective presentation of information supporting the position they are advocating. In this case, counter-arguments may be made that the target is dishonest, lacks the claimed expertise, or has a conflict of interest. Another type of valid ad hominem argument generally only encountered in specialized philosophical usage refers to the dialectical strategy of using the target’s own beliefs and arguments against them, while not agreeing with the validity of those beliefs and arguments.
Northgalus2002 over 2 years ago
I agree that we have swept mental illness under the rug for far too long. But I can’t believe there are people dissing Simone Biles for stepping down when she did (not to mention Naomi Osaka’s decision to step down from tennis for a while). They say “to err is human” but people don’t expect athletes to be human. Biles is a legend, and no one can take that away from her.
Fuzzy Kombu over 2 years ago
Ms. Biles’s current issue may not really be one of mental health — she reports a case of “the twisties”, a problem apparently well-known to gymnasts, where the athlete loses the sense of where the ground is in relation to her body during gymnastic maneuvers. A problem of the inner ears? A matter of retraining the connection of inner ear and brain? But it’s a clear danger to the anyone doing the sorts of things that Ms. Biles has done so well, and she’s absolutely right to step back. As are those others, such as Ms. Osaka, who just need to take care of themselves for other reasons.
Anyway, right on, Lalo!
pamela welch Premium Member over 2 years ago
Very nicely done Lalo — She’s a champion ♥
thi2149130 over 2 years ago
Why is it most famous people have mental problems. With all they money they have they should be in therapy