Fallacies of Credibility

Appeal to Authority

Argumentum ad Vercundiam (Argument from shame, coyness)

When someone rejects or accepts the truth of an assertion based on expertise, association intellectual authority of the arguer.

Qualified vs Unqualified Appeal to Authority

Whether or not the association of the expertise is relevant to the argument.

Argument Against the Person

Argumentum ad Hominem (from the person)

Attacking the person instead of the argument.

Appeal to People

Argumentum ad Populum (from the People)

When one asserts the case simply because many or few people view it to be true.

Appeal to People (elite vs universal)

Universal if it is because everyone goes along with it

Elite if it is because it is exclusive or stands out.

Appeal to Tradition

Something is true because it has been seen to be true in the past

Variation: it is wrong because people have always done it.

Genetic Fallacy

When someone argues that something or someone is wrong based only on history, origin, or source.

Ad Hominem (Abusive)

Call them names or defame them by highlighting negative qualities (true or not)

Guilt by association - the arguer's association with others who allegedly possess negative

qualities are taken as sufficient reason to taint the arguer's character.

Ad Hominem (Circumstantial)

When one refers to the circumstance  of an arguer, implying that they might have a special interest in the argument or have no right to speak on an issue because of their circumstances.

Ad Hominem (Tu Quoque)

Refuting someone’s stance on an argument because they are a hypocrite.