Editing Ad hominem (section)

=== Guilt by association ===
{{Main|Association fallacy}}
Guilt by association, that is accusing an arguer because of his alleged connection with a discredited person or group, can sometimes also be a type of {{lang|la|ad hominem}} fallacy when the argument attacks a source because of the similarity between the views of someone making an argument and other proponents of the argument.{{sfn|Walton|1998|pp=18–21}}

This form of the argument is as follows:{{sfn|Walton|1998|pp=18–21}}

# Individual S makes claim C. 
# Individual S is also associated with Group G, who has an unfavorable reputation
# Therefore, individual S and his views are questionable.

Academic Leigh Kolb gives as an example that the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 US vice-presidential]] candidate [[Sarah Palin]] attacked [[Barack Obama]] for having worked with [[Bill Ayers]], who had been a leader in the [[Weather Underground]] terrorist group in the 1960s. Despite Obama denouncing every act of terrorism, his opponents still associated him with terrorism.{{sfn|Kolb|2019|pp=351–352}}

Guilt by association is frequently found in social and political debates. It also appears after major events (such as scandals and terrorism) linked to a specific group. Kolb cites the peak of attacks against Muslims in the US after the [[September 11 attacks]].{{sfn|Kolb|2019|pp=351–352}}