1. A few points in response to this good read. First, the specific ad hominem fallacy is "Tu Quoque": https://www.thoughtco.com/tu-quoque-logical-fallacy-1692568#:~:text=Tu%20quoque%20is%20a%20type,%22a%20tu%20quoque%20argument.%22 https://twitter.com/BDSixsmith/status/1303181326493847552

2. @BDSixsmith is correct that there are sins worse than hypocrisy and that pointing out the hypocrisy of others is not a substitute for an ethic (aside from expecting people to follow their own principles).

3. At the same time, I think there are larger implications for moral discourse which are underappreciated. Yes, tu quoque is a logical fallacy. However, in the absence of a coherent moral epistemology, people appeal to moral authorities or portray themselves as one.

4. Hypocrisy does not negate the morality of the argument, but it does discredit the *people* who pass themselves off as moral arbiters as being unqualified to judge who is moral and immoral.

5. Furthermore, I believe a secondary social cost to hypocrisy is that people begin to question fundamental concepts of morality at all as opposed to sanctimonious justifications for political power or advantage.

6. For example, when a moral claim becomes "politicized" - that is a moral standard is only applied when it is politically convenient - people will question whether or not it is moral at all, but rather just another means of control

7. This comes up more when people are caught not living up to their standards. Not living up to one's own ideals isn't nec "evil" - we're all human, flawed, and we're going to mess up. I think in these cases it's important to admit it, own it, and try to do better.

8. Where we get into bigger problems is when instead of admitting wrongdoing or coming up short, they gerrymander convenient exceptions in defense of their own proclaimed righteousness.

9. This also applies to moral compromises. Someone who accepts that moral compromises may be necessary ought not criticize others for making their own moral compromises (one could disagree w/specific choices, but not on the *concept* of compromises).

10. To put it ironically, some hypocrisy can be worse than others in terms of negative effects on moral discourse.

The determining factor in my opinion is how one deals with it on their own, and how they treat others.