Is ad hominem ever valid?

[CapelDodger]

So true. I tend to ignore people that are insulting or rude. Even if they are correct in their facts.

That's your choice, and I understand and respect it.

If someone's right about something and I'm wrong, I'll go hands-up and concede gracefully.

If someone's right and rude about something I'll go through the normal process : Denial, anger, acceptance, revenge, closure. And I never forget .

 

[CapelDodger]

Indeed. The best insults leave the plodding insultee unsure whether or not he or his scrawny dog have been insulted.

Coincidentally, there's a local news story about a guy being killed by his own dog. Tragic as this is to all concerned (including the dog), I can't help thinking that nothing quite says "loser" like having your own dog turn on you.

 

[Denver]

So true. I tend to ignore people that are insulting or rude. Even if they are correct in their facts.

That reminds me of an old saying:

"People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know".

 

[uruk]

My favorite saying is:

"Just because I don't care doesn't mean that I don't understand."

 

[CapelDodger]

My favorite saying is:

"Just because I don't care doesn't mean that I don't understand."

That cracked me up when I first heard it, and still makes me giggle. It's so beautiful.

I have a great fondness for "You seem to have mistaken me for someone that cares/gives a **** ".

 

[CapelDodger]

That reminds me of an old saying:

"People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know".

Thanks for that. It's new to me, and it packs an elegant punch.

Linking it back to the judgement of evidence thing, knowing how much someone cares about a subject can help in evaluating what they claim to be knowledge. Are they impartial, or are they pre-determined on one outcome from the knowledge they register? Does ideology dominate in their world-view, and determine what are facts and what aren't? In short : how prejudiced is this witness?

 

[Jeff Corey]

Just jumping in, but google for "confirmation bias". And the Wason Card Problem for how pervasive confirmation bias is.