Calling some a "liberal" is " ad hominem attack", so can you defend your stance on an issue without doing it?

Answer 1

The definition of liberal is:
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.

So, to consider being called a "liberal" an ad hominem attack, liberal has to be a shameful word. Is that what you consider it?

Otherwise, it's simply a defining term of one's political views. I don't understand why some progressive thinkers find this term so offensive.

Answer 2

It depends. If I make an argument, let's say "guns should be banned because they kill people", and you say "Liberal!" in reply, then that is certainly an ad Hominem attack because you have not presented any counterarguments to my argument, but merely attempted to distract the argument to me. This is why it is called an "argument against the man".

An ad hominem attack need not be an insulting word like "moron" or "fool". While I have no problem being called a liberal, for a large number of conservatives this is a buzzword which renders any other arguments moot.

As another person said earlier, the same can be done with conservative, or republican, or any other label.

Answer 3

Actually, an ad hominem attack is attacking someone for a personal issue that has no baring on their job or responsibility. Calling someone liberal is directly attacking their political agenda and if they are discussing politics it is a fair criticism. Calling Bill Clinton a bad president for personal bedroom matters is falcious ad hominem because him getting pleasured has no affect on being the president.

Answer 4

Why should calling someone a liberal by ANY kind of an attack!

It's just how you feel about things.

Just because I think your liberal viewpoints are wrong, doesn't mean I'm insulting you to call you a liberal!

And YES! I will defend my stance with real logic - not insults.

But both liberals AND conservatives are sometimes guilty of insults.

Answer 5

Calling some a "conservative" is " ad hominem attack", so can you defend your stance on an issue without doing it?

Works both ways babe.

Answer 6

I am a liberal, and proud of it. But I agree that some of the people in this forum get very carried away with attacking each other simply because they disagree.

Answer 7

I agree. Most questions that contain the word "liberal" are a sure sign that the person asking has no other intent than to use a blanket term to say that at least 50% of the voters are all exactly alike: druggies, out of work, anti-Christian, convicts, gay, baby killers, big government, high taxing, socialist, communist, and hate Bush. Excuse me if I've left anything out. Of course, if they ever got out of the house, they would feel rather foolish having those views.

Answer 8

Referring to a Liberal position is not an ad hominem attack if one knows what is meant by it.

Some people have skin too thin for politics, don't you think?

Answer 9

You are quite mistaken, In the context of this current president and administration, it is a badge of honor. True conservatives are respected as well, not this crowd that supports Bush.

Answer 10

sure. a conservative philosophy is contrary in nature and venue to the people that supported bill clinton...his "legacy" as president was...
First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court

to support this with the nomination and possible election of his wife, hillary, smacks of at least a total misunderstanding of whats ethical and right for this country and sadly most people not of a conservative belief would overlook these facts and not care. the idea that his wife was somehow not involved and oblivious to all around her is not only ridiculous but also foolhardy.