Which logical fallacy is primarily characterized by attacking the individual rather than the argument?

The logical fallacy characterized by attacking the individual rather than the argument is known as Ad Hominem. This fallacy occurs when someone responds to an argument by criticizing the person making the argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. For example, if someone were to dismiss another person's viewpoint on climate change by pointing out an unrelated flaw in their personal life, they would be committing an Ad Hominem fallacy. The focus shifts away from the argument and onto the individual, which is a diversionary tactic that undermines rational debate and critical thinking. This fallacy is crucial to recognize in discussions, as it detracts from the evaluation of ideas and instead reduces discourse to personal attacks, making it difficult to reach a constructive conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.