What type of argument does an ad hominem refer to?

An ad hominem argument is characterized by personal attacks on individuals rather than addressing the actual issue being discussed. This type of argument aims to undermine the opponent's position by discrediting them personally instead of refuting their arguments with logical reasoning or evidence.

For example, if someone were to dispute another's argument by highlighting their past mistakes or character flaws instead of engaging with the relevant points of the discussion, they would be using an ad hominem approach. This tactic is typically seen as a fallacy in logical reasoning because it distracts from the substantive issues and does not provide a valid basis for dismissing someone else's argument.

In contrast, focusing on the issue at hand or reinforcing valid arguments involves engaging with the content of the discussion, and relying on facts and evidence represents a different, more constructive approach to argumentation. Therefore, the essence of ad hominem lies in its nature of attacking the individual, rather than engaging with the argument itself.