🚀 go-pugleaf

Mr. Marrett may wish to talk to the good folks at sci.logic about the
definition of an ad hominem. The previous poster did not seek to refute some
argument made by Prof. Skeel (who I don't know) by making a personal attack
(indeed, a logical error - though that is a valid approach when questioning the
truthfulness of a speaker). Rather, he offered his opinion as to the teaching
abilities of Prof. Skeel. Incidentally, Mr. Marrett may take note that his
response satisfies his own apparent misdefinition of 'ad hominem' (any critical
comment made about some one else ?).

It is a fact that there are some very good researchers who happen to be truly
awful teachers, and when our undergraduate students point out some candidates,
it is inappropriate for any of us to simply dismiss their criticism so lightly.
True enough, some of the complaints will come from poor students. But some will
be inspired by poor instructors. If the initial poster is honest in his
criticism of his instructor, he should be shown respect for the level of
courage shown here - the amount of damage an irritated faculty member can do to
an academic career is no secret. To seek to warn other students away from a bad
situation is a good thing to do - even if one doesn't sound very sophisticated
as one does so.


                                Joseph B. Dunphy
                                Graduate Student
                                    Mathematics - Indiana (on leave)
                                    Electrical Eng. - U.Illinois - Chicago