Here's a breakdown:
* Ad hominem translates to "against the person" in Latin.
* This fallacy attempts to discredit an argument by attacking the person making it, rather than addressing the actual points being made.
* It shifts the focus away from the validity of the argument and instead tries to undermine the speaker's credibility.
Examples:
* "You can't trust anything she says, she's just a politician." (Attacks the person's profession rather than the argument)
* "He's clearly biased because he's a member of that organization." (Attacks the person's affiliation rather than the argument)
Important Note: While ad hominem attacks are often fallacious, there are some situations where questioning a person's credibility *can* be relevant. For example, if someone is known to lie frequently, their testimony might be considered less reliable. However, it's essential to distinguish between legitimate questioning of credibility and irrelevant personal attacks.