[AndrewC]

It is Ad Hominem to argue against the person instead of the argument. And what does that have to do with the claim that was brought forth here earlier that evolution is the basis of Marxism/Communism?

Nothing more than what I posted in 617 to starbase, Interesting the twists of the internet.

You brought up the other question.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"It is Ad Hominem to argue against the person instead of the argument."

Not when the person's character is at the center of the issue. Dawkins was defending himself against scurrilous attacks that his science was a result of his alleged politics. Pointing out that it was apparent that Gould had not read "The Selfish Gene" because Dawkins addresses the very issue of reductionism and the ethical implications in that book is NOT ad hominem. The only other option Dawkins had was to assume Gould had read it and chose to ignore it. Dawkins was gracious enough to assume that Gould's error was in not reading the book instead of lying.