There is growing concern about the harmful impact of pesticides on human health, agriculture and biodiversity, prompting calls from researchers to reduce their prevalence.
If you recall, we are talking about what constitutes an ad hominem attack. Since being a lawyer does not preclude knowledge of science, pointing out that she is a lawyer constitutes an ad hominem attack.
Let me know if you need that spelled out for you yet again.
I never said she doesn’t know anything about science because she’s a lawyer. I’m saying that she’s not a scientist and she works for an anti pesticide organization. Both of those facts are important and not mentioned in the article. I never attacked her character.
I think this is where we disagree, I don’t believe that clarifying someone’s expertise is an attack on their character. I don’t accept medical advice from people who have no expertise in medicine. It’s not a judgment on their character, is a matter of relevant expertise.
You seem to be a little too focused on the word “attack”.
She made specific points and your response to those points was to fault to her expertise. You didn’t respond to her points; you responded to her character.
She noted issues with the accuracy and relevance of the data used by the government in its assessment process.
She made this specific point. Her expertise is relevant to her statement as no evidence is offered. I’m making no judgement on her character by pointing out her expertise.
If a cop pulls you over for speeding and asks for your drivers license, it’s not an ad hominem attack. Context is important and there is nuance to labeling arguments as ad hominem.
If Mary Lou McDonald was a toxicology expert her statement about the accuracy of the data would have more relevance.
If Mary Lou McDonald had outlined the actual issues with the accuracy of the data her statement would have more relevance.
She is not offering details about issues with the data, so her expertise is important context.
The argument that expertise is part of character, therefore any mention of expertise is a fallacious ad hominem argument ignores the importance of expertise in giving context to a statement. A statement about health obviously has more relevance coming from a doctor than an influencer (assuming they’re not also a doctor).
If you recall, we are talking about what constitutes an ad hominem attack. Since being a lawyer does not preclude knowledge of science, pointing out that she is a lawyer constitutes an ad hominem attack.
Let me know if you need that spelled out for you yet again.
I never said she doesn’t know anything about science because she’s a lawyer. I’m saying that she’s not a scientist and she works for an anti pesticide organization. Both of those facts are important and not mentioned in the article. I never attacked her character.
Again, what is expertise if not part of one’s character?
You’re really having a hard time with this one eh?
I think this is where we disagree, I don’t believe that clarifying someone’s expertise is an attack on their character. I don’t accept medical advice from people who have no expertise in medicine. It’s not a judgment on their character, is a matter of relevant expertise.
You seem to be a little too focused on the word “attack”.
She made specific points and your response to those points was to fault to her expertise. You didn’t respond to her points; you responded to her character.
Relevant or not, it is still ad hominem.
She made this specific point. Her expertise is relevant to her statement as no evidence is offered. I’m making no judgement on her character by pointing out her expertise.
If a cop pulls you over for speeding and asks for your drivers license, it’s not an ad hominem attack. Context is important and there is nuance to labeling arguments as ad hominem.
So you’re not disputing her point at all then? If you’ve nothing to dispute, then how is expertise even relevant?
If Mary Lou McDonald was a toxicology expert her statement about the accuracy of the data would have more relevance. If Mary Lou McDonald had outlined the actual issues with the accuracy of the data her statement would have more relevance.
She is not offering details about issues with the data, so her expertise is important context.
The argument that expertise is part of character, therefore any mention of expertise is a fallacious ad hominem argument ignores the importance of expertise in giving context to a statement. A statement about health obviously has more relevance coming from a doctor than an influencer (assuming they’re not also a doctor).
And yet the veracity of such a statement is completely independent of anyone’s expertise.