Final answer:
An ad hominem fallacy is best described by option B, where the arguer attacks the person's character rather than addressing the actual issue at hand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to which statement best describes an ad hominem fallacy is B. attacking the person's character in lieu of the issue. An ad hominem attack is a logical fallacy where the argument is directed against a person, not their position or argument. Instead of critically discussing the merits of a viewpoint, the arguer focuses on discrediting the individual by commenting on characteristics unrelated to the argument, such as their appearance, intelligence, or character.
For example, if someone is arguing for a new city policy and their opponent says, "We can't trust your opinion; you've been wrong about other things in the past," this would be an ad hominem attack. The opponent is not addressing the policy itself, but rather attacking the individual's past, which is irrelevant to the policy's validity.