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A great way to weaken a position is to make weak arguments in support of it. Externally, such a move opens an otherwise strong position up to new criticism. Internally, it invites internal dissension between those who agree on the main point.

Ad hominem attacks are always weak.

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On the other hand, I think people listen to his views on politics largely because he's well-known as a chess player. In a sense, people do the opposite of an ad hominem attack, by putting more stock in his arguments because of how respected he is in chess. We have to remember that he's as fallible as anyone else.

We are only discussing this because of who he is, not because of his argument. I think it’s fair game.

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