Read the passage from a debate speech. The current trade situation in this nation is unacceptable. We continue to lose money to
other nations, while those nations prosper. I have a detailed plan to get our country—and its people—back on the right track. My opponent, who uses her time to spread lies and rumors while eating nice dinners bought by you taxpayers, does not even have a plan. I question her priorities. Which statement best explains why the evidence provided in the text is a fallacy? The speaker uses anecdotal evidence with phrases like “eating nice dinners.” The speaker uses a bandwagon statement by complaining that other nations prosper. The speaker uses an ad hominem argument by attacking an opponent’s honesty. The speaker uses a false dilemma by claiming to have a plan while an opponent does not.
The answer is: The speaker uses an ad hominem argument by attacking an opponent’s honesty.
An ad hominem fallacy is a flawed argument that, instead of addressing the opponent´s actual contents of his or her arguments, attacks the opponent directly in his or her person (by addressing issues unrelated to the argument). In this case, the attack is centered on the opponent´s spread of lies while eating nice dinners payed with tax payer´s money.
