sixes_and_sevens comments on Rationality Quotes November 2011 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Jayson_Virissimo 01 November 2011 06:28PM

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Comment author: sixes_and_sevens 03 November 2011 04:04:15PM *  11 points [-]

I didn't downvote that particular comment, but it's a horrible neologism that doesn't need to exist, quoting yourself is explicitly prohibited in the rules on the main post (second on the list), and just saying something doesn't make it a quotation.

'Ad meme-inem' does not mean 'against the meme' any more than 'ad sandwich-inem' means 'against the sandwich'.

'Ad hominem' literally means 'to the man' in Latin. 'Ad' means 'to the', and 'hominem' means 'the man (who is the object of this sentence)'.

'Meme' is a word of Greek origin, so it doesn't really belong in a Latin expression. I would guess a suitable Latin substitute would be 'ratio', meaning reasoning or idea, which would decline to 'rationem' in this context. A more suitable Latin version of your sentiment would therefore be 'ad rationem'; you are taking the argument to the idea.

You wouldn't see this on a list of logical fallacies, though, because it isn't one.

Comment author: Dan_Moore 03 November 2011 04:23:39PM 4 points [-]

Guilty on all counts.

Comment author: Dan_Moore 04 November 2011 07:30:25PM 4 points [-]

When you're in a hole, rule #1 - stop digging.

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