Dashboard / Subject / PSYC325_SP123 / Sections

/ Tutorial T2: Reasoning, Free Will, Ancient PTSD

/ Section C: COMPREHENSION TASK (based on McMullen, 1996)
This comprehension task assesses your understanding of the nuances of the arguments
being made by McMullen 1996. As a comprehension task, this assessment may be
included as one of the 10% tasks in your final mark, so please answer carefully. The
comprehension task will be open to all until March 4th at 11:59pm Singapore time -
please contact the course co-ordinator with documentation of a valid issue for an
extension.
Question 1
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Legalsystem
When McMullen says that 'our legal system is a mere accretion of habits,
precedents and customs based on folk-myths about behaviour', what does he
mean?
Select one:
a. The arguments made about responsibility in the legal system are beside
the point as far as philosophical debate is concerned
b. People should entirely ignore the legal system in terms of deciding how to
behave
c. The rewards and punishments in the legal system have no causal effect
on people's behaviour
d. The legal system is strongly determinist, and thus can safely be ignored
Clear my choice
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Question 2
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Causalfields
Nigel, Tim and Catherine are placed in a sensory deprivation chamber. This
causes Nigel to hear voices, but does not cause Tim and Catherine to hear voices.
What would McMullen say is the basic explanation for this?
Select one:
a. Tim, Catherine and Nigel are all different causal fields, and thus respond
differently to that particular condition.
b. The difference between Nigel compared to Tim and Catherine is that
Nigel's behaviour (hearing voices) cannot be explained by reasons.
c. The infinite complex Heraclitean flux means that Nigel's behaviours are
actually identical to Catherine's, despite being ostensibly different.
d. Nigel took some magic mushrooms.
Clear my choice


Question 3
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LeaheyvsMcMullen
McMullen _______ the distinction between 'rational' and 'causal' accounts of
human action posited by Leahey, because __________
Select one:
a. rejects; McMullen's version of determinism means that he believes that
'rational' accounts are invalid
b. accepts; McMullen's version of determinism means that he believes that
'rational' accounts are invalid
c. rejects; McMullen's version of determinism means that he believes that
'rational' accounts are valid
d. accepts; McMullen's version of determinism means that he believes that
'rational' accounts are valid
Clear my choice

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Question 4
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Heracliteanflux
When McMullen refers to the infinite complex Heraclitean flux, he means to say
that
Select one:
a. Human behaviour is not easily predictable/set in stone but is influenced
by previous events and behaviours.
b. Human behaviour falls into the paradox of Heraclitus, being that it is both
constantly changing, but also that opposite things are identical.
c. Human behaviour is strongly determined by easily predictable causal
processes.
d. Human behaviour is the result of rational beliefs.
Clear my choice

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Question 5
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selfdeterminism
When McMullen says that 'self-determinism' is 'opposed to determinism', he
means that
Select one:
a. Self-determinism is the position that human behaviour is caused by
choices that exist somehow outside of regular causal processes, and
determinism is the position that regular causal processes cause human
behaviour.
b. Self-determinists argue for 'indeterminism', the position that there is no
systematic relation between cause and effect.
c. Determinism is the position that human behaviour is caused by choices
that exist somehow outside of regular causal processes, and self-
determinism is the position that regular causal processes cause human
behaviour.
d. Self-determinists believe that we have no reasons for our behaviour, only
causes.
Clear my choice

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Question 6
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Fatalism
What distinguishes determinism from fatalism?
Select one:
a. Fatalism sees reasons for behaviour and thus actions as being outside of
the causal field that causes things; determinism sees those actions as
part of the causal field that influences future behaviour.
b. Determinism assumes we are a Laplacean omniscient calculator; fatalism
does not.
c. Fatalism assumes that the law is an enduring superstition of folk
psychology; determinism does not.
d. Fatalism is a dualist ontology; determinism is a monist ontology.
Clear my choice

Question 7
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LeaheyHinckley
McMullen quotes Leahey using the example of John Hinckley to make a
distinction between 'reasons' and 'causes'. Which one of these explanations of
Hinckley's behaviour would, in Leahey's dichotomy, be a 'reason' for Hinckley's
behaviour, rather than a 'cause'?
Select one:
a. Hinckley wanted to impress Jodie Foster
b. Hinckley had brain abnormalities
c. Hinckley appeared to be having a psychotic episode
d. Hinckley's childhood trauma blinded him to the consequences of his 
actions.
Clear my choice
Question 8
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Responsibility
According to McMullen, what kind of responsibility would Pinkfong have for
arranging and recording the song 'Baby Shark'?
Select one:
a. Personal responsibility
b. Moral responsibility
c. Total irresponsibility
d. Earworm responsibility
Clear my choice

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Question 9
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Moralpersonal
What is the distinction that McMullen makes between moral responsibility and
personal responsibility?
Select one:
a. Moral responsibility assumes the free will of the person for an act;
personal responsibility assumes that the person was the one who acted
b. Personal responsibility assumes the free will of the person for an act;
moral responsibility assumes that the person was the one who acted
c. Moral responsibility assumes that acts are best explained by determinist
causes; personal responsibility assumes that acts are best explained by
peoples' reasons
d. Moral responsibility assumes that the best way to judge acts ethically is
by how they fit with a set of principles; personal responsibility implicitly
assumes that the way to judge acts ethically is with a utilitarian calculus
Clear my choice

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Question 10
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McMullenKenny
McMullen quotes Anthony Kenny as saying "undoubtedly it is unjust to hold
responsible for their actions those who lack the relevant freedom, those who
could not have done otherwise than they did." Where does McMullen differ from
Kenny?
Select one:
a. Kenny believes that most people have the freedom to choose their
actions, McMullen does not.
b. McMullen believes that most people have the freedom to choose their
actions, Kenny does not.
c. McMullen does not differ from Kenny; both hold fundamentally similar
positions.
d. Kenny argues that determinism might be true, McMullen argues that
indeterminism is true.
Clear my choice