A meta-fallacy where the speaker attacks the argument itself—its category, origin, or perceived affiliation—rather than engaging with its actual content. Unlike ad hominem (which attacks the person), Argumentum Ad Argumentum attacks the type of argument being made, dismissing it by labeling rather than addressing it. Classic examples: "This is just relativism," "That's postmodernism," "This is pseudoscience," "That's charlatanism," "This is delusional thinking." The fallacy lies in treating the label as a refutation—as if saying "that's pseudoscience" proves the argument wrong, rather than requiring demonstration of why it's pseudoscientific. The label becomes a weapon, the category a cudgel. Argumentum Ad Argumentum is particularly seductive because it sounds sophisticated—you're not attacking the person, you're attacking the argument's pedigree. But you're still not engaging the content. You're naming and shaming instead of thinking and responding.
"I spent hours constructing a careful critique of institutional power, drawing on multiple traditions. Response: 'This is just postmodern nonsense.' That's Argumentum Ad Argumentum—they didn't address a single point, just slapped a label on the whole thing and walked away. Postmodernism becomes a magic word that makes arguments disappear. But magic isn't logic."
by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026
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