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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3, The Positive Aspect of Ambiguity, Sections 1-3, The Aesthetic Attitude, Freedom and Liberation, The Antinomies of Action.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Beauvoir identify as the worst thing to be said for violence?
(a) It leads to our enslavement to tactics rather than thought.
(b) It forces us to sacrifice men who are in our way as well those who fight on our side -- or even ourselves.
(c) It breaks people out of the recognition of their ambiguity by defining absolute consequences for misuse of freedom.
(d) It begins cycles of violence motivated by revenge that removes freedom for all.

2. What does Beauvoir state is the goal at which her freedom aims?
(a) "...(C)onquering existence across the always inadequate density of being."
(b) "Seeing the doors of defeat before initiating and act."
(c) "Understanding the difference between delusion, denial, and stone pounding to affirm true existence."
(d) "Rejecting the verdicts of doubters and seeing the possibility of achieving ends through obstacles."

3. What does Beauvoir claim matters to the serious man?
(a) Using his ambiguity to shape his ethics.
(b) Setting a track to achieve a predetermined goal.
(c) Being able to lose himself in the nature of the object which he prefers to himself.
(d) Subjecting himself to the project that defines his ambiguity to himself.

4. What does Beauvoir claim to be necessary to the desire for the slave to become conscious of his servitude?
(a) For the individual to break through the denial of the slave with a revolt against the tyrant.
(b) For the tyrant to leave the Aesthetic Attitude and accept the oppression he is bringing to others.
(c) For the individual to accept oppression for the sake of demonstrating how the individual can will their freedom.
(d) For the individual who wants to make the slave of his position to avoid becoming a tyrant.

5. How does Beauvoir explain that artists can betray their aim with their aesthetic justification?
(a) By addressing an evil with a work for which the beauty is more regarded than the message.
(b) By the fact that their attempt to withdraw for the cause of aesthetics frequently lead to works that are used by the serious for their projects.
(c) By creating a project that removes them from their detachment and makes them part of history.
(d) By facing the reality that their epiphanies found in their contemplation require action of creation before they can be seriously considered.

Short Answer Questions

1. By quoting Dostoyevsky ("If God does not exist, then everything is permitted"), what examination does Beauvoir make?

2. At what time does Beauvoir suggest that children begin to notice the contradictions, hesitations and weaknesses of adults?

3. What does Beauvoir note to be the objection of oppressors who are facing overthrow for the cause of freedom?

4. Who does Beauvoir use as an example of moving through such obstacles?

5. How does Beauvoir explain that a child, himself, is not serious?

(see the answer key)

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