Homework on Paul, What you can't expect when you are expecting


All answers must be in your own words.


1. Briefly summarize in your own words: What, according to what Paul calls "normative decision theory," makes a decision practically rational? (1-3 sentences) (1pt)
b. Is this (what you said in your answer to 1a) different from what Buchak thinks makes a decision practically rational? Answer yes or no. If yes, how? If not, why not? (1-2 sentences) (1pt)

2a. What is the difference between an experience that is epistemically transformative and one that is personally transformative? (1-3 sentences) (2pt)
b. Give your own example, not dicussed by Paul, or an experience that would plausibly be epistemically transformative. (1pt)
c. Give your own example, not discussed by Paul, of an experience that might be personally transformative. (1pt)

4a. Why, according to Paul, can't decisions involving potentially personally transformative experiences be rational according to normative decision theory? (1-3 sentences) (2pts)
b. Do you agree with Paul's argument (the argument discussed in 4a)? If not, why not? If yes, what do find the most potentially surprising about it? (2pts)