What Is the Point of the Example from Chapter 11

question 10

Multiple Choice

What is the point of the example from Chapter 11 in which you must choose between rescuing your mother or a famous cancer researcher from a burning building?

• A) To prove that act utilitarianism is not the correct normative theory.
• B) To show that some people are more useful to society than others.
• C) To demonstrate a particular kind of mistake that many people make in applying act utilitarianism to particular cases.
• D) To illustrate that act utilitarianism sometimes leads to surprising conclusions about what you should do.

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Definitions:

Depressive Symptoms

Clinical features that characterize depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, and feelings of worthlessness.

Clinical Interview

A face-to-face encounter in which clinicians ask questions of clients, weigh their responses and reactions, and learn about them and their psychological problems.

Quality-of-life Theory

A theory that evaluates the general well-being of individuals and societies, emphasizing satisfaction with life, health, and other personal and environmental factors.

Hormone Theory

A concept in biology and medicine that describes the regulatory role hormones play in various bodily functions, such as growth, metabolism, and mood regulation.