Suppose a "Psychic" Tells You That "At Midnight Tonight, Everything

question 63

Multiple Choice

Suppose a "psychic" tells you that "At midnight tonight, everything will double in size." This statement is

• A) a scientific prediction that is probably false because the experimental evidence will probably disprove it [based on past experience].
• B) a nonscientific statement because no experiment can check it to determine whether it is true or false.
• C) a scientific prediction that is certainly false.
• D) a nonscientific statement because it is based completely on guess- work.
• E) the greatest idea since sliced bread.

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Definitions:

Values

Fundamental beliefs or standards that guide behavior and decision-making.

Custom of the Sea

A maritime practice which justifies extreme measures for survival at sea, historically including cannibalism.

Duty-Defined Morality

A framework in ethics where the moral status of an action is based on whether it is in accordance with a set of duties and rules, rather than on the consequences of the action.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that posits the best action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people.