2-28-20 Ad Hominem Redefining Truth

Daily Jot: Prophetic Times: Ad hominem redefining truth - Bill Wilson - www.daily.com
 
Have you ever noticed that when people in a discussion have no facts or logic to back up their argument, they often resort to name calling or labeling? When this happens, it is a sure sign that they are losing the argument. There is actually a term that describes this behavior. It's called ad hominem. Ad hominem is defined by Merriam-Webster as: "appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect; marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made." This is exactly what people are doing these days when they cannot support their arguments and someone disagrees with them. The result is a labeling of the most undesirable nature, such as bigot, racist, etc.
 
Merriam-Webster goes on to explain, "Ad hominem literally means "to the person" in New Latin (Latin as first used in post-medieval texts). In centuries past, this adjective usually modified "argument."... The newer sense of "ad hominem," which suggests an attack on an opponent's character instead of his or her argument, appeared only in the last century, but it is the sense more often heard today. The word still refers to putting personal issues above other matters, but perhaps because of its old association with "argument," "ad hominem" has become, in effect, "against the person."" Hence, the modern use of ad hominem is an attack on a person's character as a key strategy in arguing a point.
 
This is very important that we know and understand this method of argument. It is in the news daily. The recent row between President Donald Trump, Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and Al Sharpton is an excellent example. Trump has attacked Cummings for being in Congress a long time, yet his district has not seen any progress. Rather than defend the progress Cummings believes he has made in Baltimore, the strategy is to paint Trump as a racist and bigot. Sharpton has joined the chorus with the news media. It would be interesting to know just what Cummings has done for his district, which is a dangerous and unappealing place to live. But because Cummings is black, as is most of those living in his district, the ad hominem immediately turned the discussion to racism and bigotry as the main issue.
 
Given the old adage that if you say a lie often enough, it becomes the truth, ad hominem arguments take a toll on their targets, especially in these days of 24/7 media. The uninformed, skeptical, cynical and suspicious will naturally gravitate toward what they want to believe rather than check the true nature of the situation. Isaiah 59:14-15 illustrates this modern phenomena of ad hominem: "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yes, truth fails; and he that departs from evil makes himself a prey." These are indeed prophetic times as truth is being redefined by ad hominem. Be aware. Seek the truth. Find what is acceptable unto the Lord.

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