This is where someone avoids answering the question or discussing the topic by trying to embarrass you and try to get you to defend your position. If you have other people present, then they may try to discredit you and, therefore, your message in the other hearer's eyes. They do this by trying to attack you personally instead of dealing with the topic at hand. This tactic is known in Latin as an "ad hominem attack" ("to the man"). The other person appeals to emotions and not logic or truth. Another type of attack could be "gas lighting."
Note: When someone is merely attempting to gauge your credibility to determine your truthfulness, it is not considered an Ad Hominem attack. This is very common in courtroom witness boxes.
Examples:
Secular Example:
"You can't trust anything this person says because he used to be an alcoholic and unemployed."
Granddad: "Have you seen my wallet anywhere?" Grandson: "Why do you always accuse me of stealing everything? You know that your memory is not right, and you are always forgetting where you put things!" (Note: Granddad's history shows no evidence of Alzheimer's disease, by the way.)
Kingdom Example:
"Why should I listen to you? You used to be a drug addict who would lie or do anything for your next fix. That was 10 years ago, but a leopard does not change its spots."
Christian: "God cannot lie or trick anyone, as it is not in his nature." A particularly aggressive Muslim: "All you westerners are alcoholics, fornicators, and liars; everything you say is lies or wrong! Your Bible has been corrupted, and you stupidly believe it."
Fallacy Comments