Christopher Boorse's Definition of Health
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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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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