Christopher Boorse's Definition of Health
28 Questions
2 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the basis of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) in determining health?

  • Lack of illness or disease
  • Positive mental attitude
  • Normal species functioning (correct)
  • Physical fitness

According to Christopher Boorse, what does it mean to be healthy?

  • To have evaluative judgement
  • To function normally according to natural sciences (correct)
  • To have a positive mental outlook
  • To be free from illness

What is the role of reference classes in Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST)?

  • Evaluating individual happiness
  • Determining statistically typical functioning (correct)
  • Assessing mental well-being
  • Assessing physical fitness

Why does the author argue that Boorse cannot defend his claim about health?

<p>Diverse criticisms of the BST (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST), what determines if a person is healthy?

<p>Statistically typical functioning for the reference class (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) mentioned in the text?

<p>Its appeal to reference classes is both central and dubious (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the BST need reference classes?

<p>To account for the wide variety of functioning in the human species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would the BST conflict with our intuitions if other reference classes were allowed?

<p>It could lead to conflicting definitions of what is considered healthy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, why would a woman with a normal man's level of testosterone be considered diseased?

<p>Because normal functions differ across different groups (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers illustrate about the BST?

<p>The need for specific reference classes to avoid misidentifying diseases as normal functions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized about health in relation to reference classes in the passage?

<p>Being normal with respect to any reference class (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would the BST not be able to account for group-specific variations without reference classes?

<p>It could not differentiate between normal and abnormal functions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Christopher Boorse, what does it mean to be healthy?

<p>To function normally based on empirical facts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the appeal to reference classes considered surprising in the context of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST)?

<p>Because reference classes are both central and dubious in the BST (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the BST rely on in order to determine health?

<p>Reference classes for different species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the BST need reference classes according to the text?

<p>Because it cannot account for group-specific variations without them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) in relation to health?

<p>To determine the statistically typical contribution of all organism parts to survival and reproduction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, why would a person be considered healthy under the BST?

<p>If all their parts and processes function statistically typically for the reference class (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about a woman with a normal man's level of testosterone?

<p>She is considered diseased according to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the BST conflict with our intuitions if other reference classes were allowed?

<p>It would lead to circular reasoning in defining health (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Boorse required to do according to the passage?

<p>Define the distinction between health and disease based on empirical facts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers illustrate a limitation of the BST?

<p>It reveals that the BST can classify abnormal liver functions as normal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST), what determines if a person is healthy?

<p>Statistically typical functioning for the entire species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Boorse propose as an appropriate reference class for determining health?

<p>'A natural class of organisms of uniform functional design' (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author argue that Boorse cannot defend his claim about health?

<p>Boorse's account is circular as it requires certain reference classes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about the distinction between reference classes based on age or sex and those based on diseases?

<p>'Age and sex-based classes are normal variations while disease-based classes are not' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about the BST and its account of health?

<p>It fails to consider group-specific variations when determining health (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers in relation to the BST?

<p>The BST would conflict with our intuitions if it classified abnormal liver functions in heavy drinkers as normal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser