Harvard University Key to Skepticism on Pregnancy Discussion

1st Assignment: you need to read Article 1 (in the attachment) then answer the question bellow following these steps:

a) I expect that you will answer questions 1-4 with quotes from the reading

b) Make sure that, however you answer question number 5, you provide a reason or reasons for your answer

c) I expect that this assignment will be more than one page in length

Then Answer the following questions from the reading:

1) What does Shermer identify as the “key to skepticism”?

2) What does Shermer mean by “skeptic”?

3) How does Shermer define “science”?

4) According to Shermer what is the difference between a “theory” and a “construct”?

5) After reading this article are you ready to add your name to this manifesto (meaning you agree with his skeptical perspective?) Explain.:

_________________________________________________________________________________

2nd Assignment: You need to read the scenario below then answer the question on Bold

Suppose we could transplant one half of your brain into each of the skulls of your identical siblings (whose own brains were destroyed). Each resulting person would wake up thinking he or she is you, with all psychological connections to you preserved.

Which one of them would be you? Would both of them be you? Would neither of them be you? Would they still be themselves? Would they both be someone different than themselves or you? Or what . . .? (Explain)

The answer must be at least 5-6 sentences.

___________________________________________________________________________

3rd assignment: you need to read Article 2 (in the attachment) then answer the question bellow following these steps:

a) Each answer needs to be only one paragraph in length –one-half of a page, double-spaced. So the length for this assignment should be one page

b) Make sure that you provide and explain the reasons foryour answers.

Then Answer the following questions from the reading:

1- Is the case of the famous violinist really analogous to a case of pregnancy caused by rape?

2- Does a woman who is accidentally pregnant have a right to get an abortion?

__________________________________________________________________________

4th Assignment: You need to read the scenario below then answer the question on Bold:

There has been a major earthquake and thousands of people have been injured. You are in overall control of medical services, but several hospitals have been destroyed, few qualified medical personnel are available, and medical supplies are limited. You cannot help all the casualties, and it’s up to you to produce guidelines that will determine who will receive treatment.

Which of the following options do you choose? Explain. The answer must be at least 5-6 sentences.

Here are your options:

1. Refuse treatment to anyone over age 70 on the basis that people with more of their life remaining will benefit more.

2. Treat only those with the most serious injuries, reasoning that their need is the greatest and the less injured may survive anyway.

3. Treat only those with less serious injuries, because you can treat more of them with your limited resources, and the more seriously injured may die anyway, despite medical treatment.