Laurie Paul, What you Can\'s Expect When You\'re Expecting\" In this selection,
ID: 3454387 • Letter: L
Question
Laurie Paul, What you Can's Expect When You're Expecting" In this selection, Laurie Paul discusses a puzzle regarding momentous decision we will face during our lives which, as a result of our deciding one way or another, will result in vastly different life experiences and will change us as persons. The article serves as an brief introduction to decision theory, an application of the study of the methods by which we gain knowledge to a practical problem, and a challenge to conventional thought regarding some of our choices. Paul's puzzle revolves around the case of trying to decide about whether or not to have children. This choice, she argues, is one in which the decision, either for or against, merits the use of a decision-making procedure that involves an assessment of how the choice will impact our well being. The relevant question for us is which choice is better in this sense. However, if we are to assess the possible outcomes given our choice either for or against, we face the problem of how we could know what our lives would be like. What our lives will be like is what will give us insight into how things will go for us-what the value of each choice will be. But since we have not made the various choices yet, we have yet to undergo the relevant experiences. And, much like Mary in the black and white room, there is no other way it seems that we could garner the relevant knowledge. Paul goes on to discuss a number of possible responses to her puzzle which include alternative methods by which we might gain the relevant knowledge other than undergoing the experience itself and different decision-making procedures we might entertain as alternatives to the normative model she discussesExplanation / Answer
1. The correct answer is Option C. Scenario describes a choice that does not involve the assessment of the values of outcomes.
2. The correct answer is Option D. A complete determination of all the available choices is not an important input into rational decision making in the ideal case.
3. The correct answer is Option A. Paul focuses on what a life lived by the person in the will be like for them.
4. The correct answer is Option B. An experience to be epistemically transformative is that it gives you knowledge of something in a way that other sources of knowledge will not be able to provide.
Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of a question.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.