George Bernard Shaw once said, “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea as well, and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”
I actually heard this term used a few days ago on a radio show. Two authors were debating. One accused the other of an ad hominem argument. Later in the debate the meaning became clearer. I’m not sure why, but something made me think of it today.
Definition of AD HOMINEM
1: appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect
2: marked by or being an attack on an opponent’s character rather than by an answer to the contentions made
I am as guilty as the next person. We all tend to associate with people who are like us. We have a tendency to read, watch and listen to those things that reinforce our point of views and do not get us out of our comfort zone.
To me, this is dangerous. There are a lot of very serious problems in the world. There are a lot of competing opinions about the best way to handle them. There are lots of “opinions” that are self promotional.
I am also not so delusional as to think a little person like me is going to have much if any influence on the large issues of our times. I am also not so delusional as to think I am going to change anyone’s opinions.
I do strongly feel if keep going with blinders on the little man loses out every time. Occasionally, I have been discussing these issues and someone says something and some new connection is made. I get a new way of looking at things. I’m not sure everyone would agree with me, but I hope I am not so hunkered down in my silo that I never consider another point of view.
One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”