What term describes an argument that attacks the person making a claim rather than the claim itself?

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The term that describes an argument that targets the individual making a claim instead of addressing the claim itself is known as "Ad Hominem." This type of fallacy occurs when someone dismisses or refutes an argument by discrediting the individual rather than engaging with the argument's content. For example, if a person's qualifications or character are attacked in efforts to undermine their argument, that is an ad hominem attack. This tactic shifts the focus away from the actual issue at hand and instead turns it into a personal attack, which can distract from legitimate discussion and debate. This is considered a flaw in reasoning because it does not provide any evidence or rationale against the claim being presented.

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