28 Questions
What is the basis of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) in determining health?
Normal species functioning
According to Christopher Boorse, what does it mean to be healthy?
To function normally according to natural sciences
What is the role of reference classes in Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST)?
Determining statistically typical functioning
Why does the author argue that Boorse cannot defend his claim about health?
Diverse criticisms of the BST
According to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST), what determines if a person is healthy?
Statistically typical functioning for the reference class
What is the main criticism of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) mentioned in the text?
Its appeal to reference classes is both central and dubious
Why does the BST need reference classes?
To account for the wide variety of functioning in the human species
Why would the BST conflict with our intuitions if other reference classes were allowed?
It could lead to conflicting definitions of what is considered healthy
According to the passage, why would a woman with a normal man's level of testosterone be considered diseased?
Because normal functions differ across different groups
What does the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers illustrate about the BST?
The need for specific reference classes to avoid misidentifying diseases as normal functions
What is emphasized about health in relation to reference classes in the passage?
Being normal with respect to any reference class
Why would the BST not be able to account for group-specific variations without reference classes?
It could not differentiate between normal and abnormal functions
According to Christopher Boorse, what does it mean to be healthy?
To function normally based on empirical facts
Why is the appeal to reference classes considered surprising in the context of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST)?
Because reference classes are both central and dubious in the BST
What does the BST rely on in order to determine health?
Reference classes for different species
Why does the BST need reference classes according to the text?
Because it cannot account for group-specific variations without them
What is the main purpose of Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST) in relation to health?
To determine the statistically typical contribution of all organism parts to survival and reproduction
According to the passage, why would a person be considered healthy under the BST?
If all their parts and processes function statistically typically for the reference class
What does the passage suggest about a woman with a normal man's level of testosterone?
She is considered diseased according to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST)
Why does the BST conflict with our intuitions if other reference classes were allowed?
It would lead to circular reasoning in defining health
What is Boorse required to do according to the passage?
Define the distinction between health and disease based on empirical facts
How does the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers illustrate a limitation of the BST?
It reveals that the BST can classify abnormal liver functions as normal
According to Boorse's Biostatistical Theory (BST), what determines if a person is healthy?
Statistically typical functioning for the entire species
What does Boorse propose as an appropriate reference class for determining health?
'A natural class of organisms of uniform functional design'
Why does the author argue that Boorse cannot defend his claim about health?
Boorse's account is circular as it requires certain reference classes
What does the passage suggest about the distinction between reference classes based on age or sex and those based on diseases?
'Age and sex-based classes are normal variations while disease-based classes are not'
What does the passage suggest about the BST and its account of health?
It fails to consider group-specific variations when determining health
What is suggested by the example of uncommonly heavy drinkers in relation to the BST?
The BST would conflict with our intuitions if it classified abnormal liver functions in heavy drinkers as normal
This quiz explores Christopher Boorse's argument that being healthy means functioning normally and is determined solely by empirical facts, without depending on evaluative judgement. Test your understanding of Boorse's perspective on health and his Biostatistical Theory.
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