'X' Is Evil.

[Woodsprite]

Originally Posted by Sovereign

This may be true (I know nothing about Marx), but in formal logic a person's motivation, ideology and even actions don't affect the (in)validity of their ideas. Trying to discredit ideas using personal failings usually falls under ad hominem and tu quoque.

Just my two cents...

True, but looking at the man in his personal life can really touch into the reasons why he thought the way he did. That isn't ad hominum, that's just personal analysis.

Same with George Washington. You look at his personal life and compare what his beliefs were with his life's actions. The only thing he did "wrong" in his life was him owning slaves. And that was only at one point. He lived a prosperous, accomplished life because he made himself that way. His beliefs can be said to have affected this. He succeeded. Marx, on the other hand, led a very poor life and is remembered for nothing except his writings. He, in the technical definition of life accomplishment, failed.