No, he's using it correctly. It means "not based on logic" but not
necessarily "illogical." I think it's more about intention. For
instance, if I called someone insane just to be mean and they
happened to *be* insane in some measurable way, my comment is no less
ad hominem.
I love the definitions below. It's funny they used Fenton for their
example.
ad hominem |ˈad ˈhämənəm| |ˌˈød ˌhɑmənəm| |ad ˌhɒmɪnɛm|
adverb & adjective
1 (of an argument or reaction) arising from or appealing to the
emotions and not reason or logic.
• attacking an opponent’s motives or character rather than the
policy or position they maintain : vicious ad hominem attacks.
2 relating to or associated with a particular person : [as adv. ] the
office was created ad hominem for Fenton. | [as adj. ] an ad hominem
response.
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: Latin, literally ‘to the person.’
Frank
On May 16, 2007, at 12:13 AM, Anthony West wrote:
I don't believe you are using the term "ad hominem" rightly. It is
not merely a synonym for "insulting". "Ad hominem" is a flaw in a
*logical argument*, not a flaw in courtesy.
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