Explain what a fallacy is. What kind of mistake is someone ...

[clmills979]

Explain what a fallacy is.
 
  What kind of mistake is someone making when they
  commit an informal fallacy in an argument?

Question 2

What are the different branches of philosophy, and what are they about?
 
  Anyone in the forum can help me with this one?

[bblaney]

Answer to Question 1

- Arguments that contain informal fallacies may seem persuasive but in fact are based on errors in reasoning.
- Fallacious reasoning is typically used to influence others. It seeks to persuade not on the basis of sound arguments and critical thinking but rather on the basis of emotional and illogical factors.
- Categories include false generalization, causal fallacies, fallacies of relevance,

Answer to Question 2

- Metaphysics: the study of the ultimate characteristics of reality or existence
- Epistemology: the study of knowledge, identifying and developing criteria and methodologies for what we know and why we know it
- Ethics: the study of moral values and principles
- Political and Social Philosophy: the study of social values and political forms of government
- Aesthetics: the study of beauty, art, and taste
- Logic: the branch of philosophy that seeks to establish the rules of correct reasoning, clear understanding and valid arguments

[clmills979]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[frankwu0507]

Wow, this really help