What fallacy is characterized by introducing an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the main topic?

The fallacy characterized by introducing an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the main topic is known as a Red Herring. This rhetorical strategy distracts from the argument at hand by shifting the focus to something that is not relevant to the discussion, often creating confusion or misleading the audience.

For instance, in a debate about climate change, if one participant begins discussing the economic impacts of unrelated policies instead of addressing environmental concerns, they are employing a Red Herring. This tactic can undermine logical reasoning and prevent a constructive dialogue about the original issue.

The other choices represent different types of fallacies. Ad Hominem targets the person making an argument rather than the argument itself; a Straw Man misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack; and Appeal to Ignorance asserts that a proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for identifying and avoiding fallacious reasoning in discussions and debates.