What does an 'ad hominem' fallacy involve?

An 'ad hominem' fallacy specifically involves focusing on the character or personal traits of the individual making an argument, rather than addressing the argument itself. This strategy diverts attention from the substance of the argument and targets the person, implying that because of who they are or their character flaws, their argument is invalid or less credible.

This fallacy undermines rational debate because it shifts the discussion away from the actual issue at hand, which should ideally be evaluated based on its merits rather than the characteristics of the person presenting it. The effectiveness of an argument should depend on the evidence and reasoning it provides, not on who presents it.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different logical considerations. For example, attacking an argument directly without focusing on the individual, using statistics to support claims, or appealing to authority without evidence represent different kinds of logical reasoning or fallacies but do not capture the essence of the 'ad hominem' fallacy.