Michael
" ..... I said both most and I believe. These are sufficient qualifications - in my opinion - to make the reply one of merit and not an ad hominem attack. "
Most people who criticise, most people who drink coffee, most people who ride motorcycles, most Americans who travel overseas,.....
Certainly, use of the words 'most + group name' disqualifies the commentary as being directed at one person in particular, but it does stereotype, does it not?
Which is the lesser of 2 evils; ad hominem attacks or stereotyping?
"I believe". I don't agree with your opinion that use of these words disqualifies a remark as being an ad hominem attack.
For example, I believe that Joe Blow is the ugliest man who ever walked the surface of Earth, I believe she is an idiot, etc. Ad hominen, or not?
Using both "most" & "I believe" in the one remark doesn't, in my view, make any difference.
Cheers
- why ad hominem attacks? -- Michael Joseph Beauchot -- 2004-06-11
- Because you ask for it!!! -- Tim -- 2004-06-15
- Re: Because you ask for it!!! -- boots43 -- 2004-06-16
- (Message Deleted by Poster) -- Tim -- 2004-06-16
- Re: Ah, the wisdom of simplicity -- boots43 -- 2004-06-17
- (Message Deleted by Poster) -- Tim Denbok -- 2004-06-21
- Re: Ah, the wisdom of simplicity -- boots43 -- 2004-06-23
- Re: bootsy43call -- sperlingintus -- 2004-06-20
- Re: bootsy43call -- boots43 -- 2004-06-23
- Re: bootsy43call -- Mike B -- 2004-06-22
- Re: bootsy43call -- sperlingintus -- 2004-06-23
- Re: bootsy43call -- boots43 -- 2004-06-23
- Re: bootsy43call -- Mike B -- 2004-06-22
- (Message Deleted by Poster) -- Tim Denbok -- 2004-06-21
- Re: Ah, the wisdom of simplicity -- boots43 -- 2004-06-17
- (Message Deleted by Poster) -- Tim -- 2004-06-16
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- Steve -- 2004-06-13
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- boots43 -- 2004-06-13
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- An observer -- 2004-06-11
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- boots43 -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- sperlingintus -- 2004-06-11
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- boots43 -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- An observer -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- boots43 -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- Mike B -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- doggie -- 2004-07-16
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- Mike B -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- boots43 -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- An observer -- 2004-06-12
- Re: why ad hominem attacks? -- sperlingintus -- 2004-06-11
- Re: Because you ask for it!!! -- boots43 -- 2004-06-16
- Because you ask for it!!! -- Tim -- 2004-06-15