Laurie Paul, What you Can\'s Expect When You\'re Expecting\" In this selection,
ID: 3454391 • Letter: L
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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
5. The correct answer is option 'C'. This is because an epistemically transformative experience is to experience a situation on your own whereas a personally transformative experience is to change a person's point of view.
6. The correct answer is option 'A'. The choice made here cannot be a rational choice as in a rational choice people can choose the best option from the alternatives present. But here in the above case, as Paul said, they had to undergo the relevant experience in order to gain knowledge about the situation.
9. The correct answer is option 'D', flipping a coin. Paul never took the decision this lightly that flipping a coin would solve it.
10. The correct answer is option 'A'. This is because Paul had to undergo the experience and could not learn about it from any empirical studies.
11. False. The choice as stated in the case, might prove to be in favour or against them.
12. True. This is because Lewis considers having alternative methods of gaining knowledge about the situation rather than experiencing it.
13. False. The whole case is rested upon a decision that they want to come to together, epistemically.
14. False. Mary is not an expert, however she is being more practical about the decision.
15. True. Even in the above case the ideal model of decision making could not fit in as the alternatives available were not clear and hence the best option could not be chosen from.
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