# 27. Rhetorical manipulation ## 27.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 27.5.3. Attacking Approach #### 27.5.3.4. Ad hominem argument This is the discrediting of an argument by making unfounded or irrelevant charges against a party, rather than by rationally addressing what is being argued. This is also known popularly as "attacking the messenger" or "character assassination"; it is a way of diminishing the merit of an argument by spuriously attacking the moral authority of its advocate. ***Parent:** [[Attacking Approaches]]*