Exam 1

Question 1

Define a valid argument

Answer 1

A valid argument is just any argument where the premises, if true, would make the conclusion true too.

Question 2

Define a sound argument

Answer 2

Any valid argument with true premises, meaning the conclusion is also true

Question 3

Define a cogent argument

Answer 3

A cogent argument is a valid argument that someone who may question the conclusion but accept all the premises

Question 4

What is the difference between a medical and philosophical standard of death

Answer 4

The medical standard is used by doctors to determine when to pronounce a patient dead and to terminate treatment. The Philosophical standard is

Question 5

What is the name and definition of the old medical standard of death?

Answer 5

The old standard is called “cardio-pulmonary death” It is when there is irreversible heart failure, circulation has permanently ceased

Question 6

What is the name and definition of the current medical standard of death?

Answer 6

The current standard is called “whole” brain-death which is irreversible known damage has destroyed all brain activity, including loss of the brainstem’s capacity to enable spontaneous breathing

Question 7

What is the higher brain death standard?

Answer 7

Irreversible loss of activity in the cerebral-cortex

Question 8

What does it mean if a person is in a permanent vegetative state?

Answer 8

It is when all cognitive functions are absent even if the eyes are open. This being permanent means the condition is long-term and apparently irreversible.

Question 9

How does someone in a permanent vegetative state relate to the higher brain death standard?

Answer 9

Anyone in a permanent vegetative state would be considered dead with the high brain death standard

Question 10

Why was the standard of death changed?

Answer 10

The standard of death changed because of 2 shifts in the medical technology: the respirator and organ transplants

Question 11

Why does Singer think the current standard of death is problematic?

Answer 11

Singer thinks the current standard of death is problematic because it was changed because it is expedient to kill them

Question 12

What is Singer’s proposal about death?

Question 13

What is the Dead Donor Rule?

Question 14

What is Singer’s proposed attitude towards the Dead Donor Rule?

Question 15

What is DeGrazia’s Thesis?

Question 16

What is the basic structure of DeGrazia’s argument?

Question 17

What is DeGrazia’s argument for changing it to a higher brain death?