Deck 4: Problems for the Desire Theory

Question 1

Write an essay critically examining the following claim: "Something is good for us only if it satisfies our desires." Are there any cases in which we can be benefited without having any of our desires satisfied? Present a couple of cases that might be thought to have this feature, and describe how you think a desire satisfaction theorist would respond.

Answer 1

No Answer.

Question 2

Describe a case in which a desire is satisfied, but this desire is based on a false belief. Does the satisfaction of such a desire make one better off? What implications does such a case have for the desire satisfaction theory?

Answer 2

No Answer.

Question 3

Suppose that you want something very much but that when you get it, you are completely disappointed. Why does this case raise a problem for the desire satisfaction theory? What might a desire satisfaction theorist say in response? Do you find this reply convincing?

Answer 3

No Answer.

Question 4

Is it possible to desire to harm yourself and to succeed? Write an essay describing the "paradox of self-harm" that faces the desire satisfaction theory. Do you think the desire satisfaction theorist can solve this problem? Why or why not?

Question 5

Are some desires intrinsically better than others? Explain and defend your answer. What does your answer imply about the desire satisfaction theory of welfare?

Question 6

Explain the distinction between disinterested and other-regarding desires. Then, explain the objection that this distinction generates. How should the desire satisfaction theorist respond to this objection? Do you find this response satisfying? Why or why not?

Question 7

According to the desire satisfaction theory, desire satisfaction is

A) necessary for becoming better off.
B) sufficient for becoming better off.
C) Both of the above
D) None of the above

Question 8

A pleasant surprise is an example of something that

A) makes someone better off but does not satisfy any existing desire.
B) satisfies a desire but does not make someone better off.
C) satisfies a desire and makes someone better off.
D) neither satisfies a desire nor makes someone better off.

Question 9

One example that shows that desire satisfaction is not necessary for becoming better off is

A) the case of desires based on false beliefs.
B) the case of impoverished desires.
C) the paradox of self-harm.
D) the vaccination of small children.

Question 10

According to the text, the satisfaction of a desire based on a false belief

A) always makes us better off.
B) does not always make us better off.
C) always makes us worse off.
D) is impossible.

Question 11

Informed desires are those desires that

A) are based on technical scientific knowledge.
B) have been instilled in us by our society.
C) are not based on false beliefs.
D) we have been told about by someone else.

Question 12

A desire for distant strangers to flourish is an example of

A) an uninformed desire.
B) a disinterested desire.
C) an impoverished desire.
D) None of the above

Question 13

Self-regarding desires are those desires that

A) are genuinely your own.
B) are not based on any false beliefs.
C) concern only yourself.
D) make you happy when they're satisfied.

Question 14

A plausible case in which desire satisfaction is not sufficient for becoming better off is

A) a passing fancy.
B) an infant getting a vaccine.
C) a pleasant surprise.
D) a desire for autonomy.

Question 15

According to the desire satisfaction theory

A) no desire is intrinsically better than any other.
B) desire satisfaction is good for us but only when it makes us happy.
C) some things are objectively valuable.
D) All of the above

Question 16

The satisfaction of even informed, self-interested desires doesn't seem to benefit us when

A) we don't know the desire has been satisfied.
B) the desire was not formed autonomously.
C) the desire is merely a passing fancy.
D) All of the above

Question 17

According to the text, why can't the desire satisfaction theorist maintain that what's good for us is the pleasure we feel when certain desires are satisfied?

A) Because this is to say the pleasure rather than the desire satisfaction is what makes us better off
B) Because not all pleasure is good for us
C) Because sometimes we're better off when our desires are satisfied and we don't know it
D) None of the above

Question 18

Why do impoverished desires pose a problem for desire theory?

A) Because setting your sights low does not seem to make you better off
B) Because a satisfied slave does not seem to have a good life
C) Because many of our desires are shaped by the way we've been raised
D) All of the above

Question 19

According to the desire satisfaction theory, sacrificing your welfare for a cause that is of the utmost importance to you

A) contributes very much to your well-being.
B) detracts strongly from your well-being.
C) is sometimes good and sometimes bad for you.
D) is impossible.

Question 20

If the desire satisfaction theory is true, it is never good advice to tell someone to

A) do what makes him happy.
B) change all his desires.
C) seek knowledge.
D) try to produce beautiful things.

Question 21

What kind of theory does the text endorse as an alternative to the traditional desire satisfaction theory?

A) Hedonism
B) A reformed desire satisfaction theory
C) An objective theory
D) None of the above

Question 22

Which of the following is the desire satisfaction theory committed to?

A) If something is good for us, then it fulfills (or helps fulfill) our desires.
B) If something fulfills (or helps fulfill) our desires, then it is good for us.
C) Nothing can be good for us unless it fulfills (or helps fulfill) our desires.
D) All of the above

Question 23

What is the example of giving vaccines to small children supposed to show?

A) Some things can benefit us without satisfying our desires.
B) Some things can satisfy desires without benefiting anyone.
C) Most benefits satisfy some desire or other.
D) Small children are incapable of being benefited or harmed.

Question 24

Which of the following shows that desire satisfaction is not necessary for becoming better off?

A) The paradox of self-sacrifice
B) Desires that are satisfied without our knowledge
C) Pleasant surprises
D) Passing fancies

Question 25

According to the text, what does the existence of desires based on false beliefs show?

A) We can become better off without having our desires satisfied.
B) The desire satisfaction theory needs to be modified.
C) The desire satisfaction theory is irreparably mistaken.
D) The desire satisfaction theory is plausible in many cases.

Question 26

What is a disinterested desire?

A) A desire that one doesn't care about very much
B) A desire that is not focused on oneself
C) A desire that is primarily the result of boredom
D) A desire that will lead to disappointment

Question 27

A desire directed toward the interests of a distant stranger is an example of which kind of desire?

A) An uninformed desire
B) An other-regarding desire
C) An impoverished desire
D) None of the above

Question 28

Which of the following claims is the desire satisfaction theorist unable to endorse?

A) Health, wealth, and happiness are often instrumentally good for us.
B) Some desires are intrinsically better than others.
C) What is good for us is up to us.
D) Some desires are disinterested.

Question 29

What does it mean to say a desire is impoverished?

A) It was not formed in an autonomous way.
B) It is based on false beliefs.
C) It does not regard oneself.
D) It is not very specific.

Question 30

What is the paradox of self-harm?

A) Attempts to make yourself better off often ending up harming you.
B) According to the desire satisfaction theory, it is impossible to intentionally harm yourself.
C) Attempts to harm yourself often make you better off.
D) According to the desire satisfaction theory, all harm is self-harm.

Question 31

What can never be in our self-interest, according to the desire satisfaction theory?

A) Making ourselves happy
B) Creating works of art
C) Changing all our desires
D) Trying to make autonomous decisions